Ecclesiastes 3:14

God's power and sovereignty Fear God's faithfulness

¹² I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

¹³ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

¹⁶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him.
KJV: I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
WEB: I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.
ASV: I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him.
DARBY: I know that whatever God doeth, it shall be for ever; there is nothing to be added to it, nor anything to be taken from it; and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.
BLB: I know that everything that God does, it will be forever; to it nothing can be added, and from it nothing can be diminished; and God has done [it] that they should fear from before His face.

ÅB: Jeg skjønte at alt hva Gud gjør, det varer evig; intet kan legges til og intet kan tas fra. Så har Gud gjort det, for at vi skal frykte ham.
OTB: Jeg vet at alt Gud gjør, vil vare evig; ingenting kan legges til det, og ingenting kan tas fra det. Gud gjør dette for at mennesker skal frykte Ham.
B1930: Jeg skjønte at alt hvad Gud gjør, det varer evig; intet kan legges til og intet kan tas fra. Så har Gud gjort det, forat vi skal frykte ham.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Read in context
Psalms 33:11
The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Read in context
Romans 11:36
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Read in context
Acts 5:39
But if it be of God, ye can not overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Read in context
Proverbs 30:6
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Read in context
Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Read in context
Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Read in context
Daniel 11:2–4
And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.
Read in context