Amplified Bible
Ecclesiastes 3:12
12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live;
Ecclesiastes 3:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
- New International Version (NIV)I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
- English Standard Version (ESV)I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;
- New King James Version (NKJV)I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,
Context of Ecclesiastes 3:12
10I have seen the task which God has given to the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. 11He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live; 13and also that every man should eat and drink and see and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. 14I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor can anything be taken from it, for God does it so that men will fear and worship Him [with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is God].
Read all of Ecclesiastes 3Ecclesiastes 3:12 word by word
יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּ֛י אֵ֥ין ט֖וֹב בָּ֑ם כִּ֣י אִם־לִשְׂמ֔וֹחַ וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת ט֖וֹב בְּחַיָּֽיו׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 3:12
- Ecclesiastes 3:22So I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should be happy in his own works and activities, for that is his portion (share). For who will bring him [back] to see what will happen after he is gone?
- Ecclesiastes 9:7Go your way, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a cheerful heart [if you are righteous, wise, and in the hands of God]; for God has already approved and accepted your works.
- Deuteronomy 28:63It shall come about that just as the Lord delighted over you to make you prosper and multiply, so the Lord will delight over you to bring you to ruin and destruction; and you will be uprooted [violently] from the land which you are entering to possess.
- Psalms 37:3Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.
- Isaiah 64:5You meet him who rejoices in doing that which is morally right, Who remembers You in Your ways. Indeed, You were angry, for we sinned; We have long continued in our sins [prolonging Your anger]. And shall we be saved [under such circumstances]?
- Luke 11:41But give that which is within as charity [that is, acts of mercy and compassion, not as a public display, but as an expression of your faithfulness to God], and then indeed all things are clean for you.
- Acts 20:35In everything I showed you [by example] that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.’ ”
- Philippians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people.
- 1 Timothy 6:18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share [with others].
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12I know that there is no good in them, but, etc. - Since God has so disposed the affairs of this world, that the great events of providence cannot be accelerated or retarded by human cares and anxieties, submit to God; make a proper use of what he has given: do thyself no harm, and endeavor as much as possible to do others good. Enjoy, and bless thyself; let others share The transient blessing: 'tis the gift of God.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12In them - i. e., in the sons of men. To do good - In a moral sense. Physical enjoyment is referred to in Ecclesiastes 3:13.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-15Verses 11-15 Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good in this life, which is…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-13rejoice and do good while they live: Even though life and work can be hard, the Teacher's conclusion (repeated from Ecclesiastes 2:24) can still be true.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. in them--in God's works (Ec 3:11), as far as relates to man's duty. Man cannot fully comprehend them, but he ought joyfully to receive ("rejoice in") God's gifts, and "do good" with them to himself and to others. This is never out of season (Ga 6:9, 10). Not sensual joy and self-indulgence (Php 4:4; Jas 4:16, 17).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 3:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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