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Ecclesiastes 5:18

JoyWorkContentmentGratitude

16 This too is a grievous evil: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?

17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.

Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.

19 Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.

20 For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

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

Compare

BSB
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.
KJV
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
WEB
Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.
ASV
Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, wherein he laboreth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion.
DARBY
Behold what I have seen good and comely: [it is] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour wherewith [man] laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for that is his portion.
BLB
Behold what I have seen [to be] good, that which [is] beautiful: To eat and to drink and to see good in all his toil that he toils under the sun all the days his life that God has given to him, for it [is] his portion.
ÅB
Se, dette er det jeg har funnet godt og skjønt: å spise og drikke og å gjøre seg til gode til gjengjeld for alt det strev som en møyer seg med under solen alle de levedager som Gud gir ham; for det er det gode som blir ham til del.
OTB
Dette er hva jeg har sett som godt og passende: å spise, drikke og finne tilfredshet i alt sitt arbeid under solen i de få dagene av livet Gud har gitt dem—for dette er deres lønn.
B1930
Se, dette er det jeg har funnet godt og skjønt: å ete og drikke og å gjøre sig til gode til gjengjeld for alt det strev som en møier sig med under solen alle de levedager som Gud gir ham; for det er det gode som blir ham til del.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ecclesiastes 2:24

    Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.

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  • Ecclesiastes 3:22

    I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?

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  • Ecclesiastes 3:12–13

    I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live,

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  • Ecclesiastes 9:7

    Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works:

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  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

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  • Ecclesiastes 2:10

    Anything my eyes desired, I did not deny myself. I refused my heart no pleasure. For my heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.

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  • Ecclesiastes 8:15

    So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.

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  • Ecclesiastes 11:9

    Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

    Read in context