Ecclesiastes 8:15
13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.
- KJV
- Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
- WEB
- Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun than to eat, to drink, and to be joyful: for that will accompany him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
- ASV
- Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor [all] the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.
- DARBY
- And I commended mirth, because there is nothing better for man under the sun than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God hath given him under the sun.
- BLB
- And I have praised the enjoyment, because nothing [is] good for a man under the sun, except than to eat and to drink and to be joyful, for only this will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life that God has given to him under the sun.
- ÅB
- Så priste jeg da gleden, fordi mennesket ikke har noe annet godt under solen enn å spise og drikke og være glad; og dette følger ham under hans strev i de levedager som Gud har gitt ham under solen.
- OTB
- Så jeg anbefaler glede, for det er ikke noe bedre for en person under solen enn å spise, drikke og være glad, for dette vil følge dem i deres arbeid gjennom de dager av livet Gud har gitt dem under solen.
- B1930
- Så priste jeg da gleden, fordi mennesket ikke har noget annet godt under solen enn å ete og drikke og være glad; og dette følger ham under hans strev i de levedager som Gud har gitt ham under solen.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ecclesiastes 2:24
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 5:18
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.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 3:12–13
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 9:7–9
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 3:22
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Read in context1 Timothy 4:3–4
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Read in context1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Read in context