Berean Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 3:14
14I 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.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (NIV)I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
- English Standard Version (ESV)I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.
Context of Ecclesiastes 3:14
12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, 13and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God. 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. 15What exists has already been, and what will be has already been, for God will call to account what has passed. 16Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 3Ecclesiastes 3:14 word by word
יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּ֠י כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֤ה הָאֱלֹהִים֙ ה֚וּא יִהְיֶ֣ה לְעוֹלָ֔ם עָלָיו֙ אֵ֣ין לְהוֹסִ֔יף וּמִמֶּ֖נּוּ אֵ֣ין לִגְרֹ֑עַ וְהָאֱלֹהִ֣ים עָשָׂ֔ה שֶׁיִּֽרְא֖וּ מִלְּפָנָֽיו׃Read the interlinear
- I knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- thatכִּיkîy · forH3588
- everythingכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
- ·אֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
- Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- Godהוּאhû' hîy' · he/she/itH1931
- doesעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- endures foreverהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
- endures foreverעוֹלָם‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm · forever: enduringH5769
- nothingאַ֫יִן'ayin · nothingH369
- can be addedיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
- to itעַל‛al · uponH5921
- or takenגָּרַעgâra‛ · diminishH1639
- from itמִן־min minnîy minnêy · fromH4480
- so that they should fearיָרֵאyârê' · to fear: revereH3372
- Himפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 3:14
- Psalms 33:11The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.
- Psalms 119:90Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.
- Isaiah 46:10I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
- Daniel 4:34But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
- Acts 2:23He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
- Acts 4:28They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.
- Romans 11:36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
- Ephesians 3:11according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- James 1:17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
- Psalms 76:10Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
- Proverbs 19:21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- Proverbs 30:6Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.
- Acts 5:39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
- Psalms 64:9Then all mankind will fear and proclaim the work of God; so they will ponder what He has done.
- Isaiah 59:18So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever - לעולם leolam, for eternity; in reference to that grand consummation of men and things intimated in Ecclesiastes 3:11. God has produced no being that he intends ultimately to destroy. He made every thing in reference to eternity; and, however matter may be changed and refined, animal and intellectual beings shall not be deprived of their existence. The brute creation shall be restored, and all human…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14The last clause of this verse goes beyond a declaration of the fact of God‘s government of the world Ecclesiastes 2:26 by adding the moral effect which that fact is calculated to produce on those who see it. It is the first indication of the practical conclusion Ecclesiastes 12:13 of the book.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. 14Understanding that God's actions are final is a reason to respect and trust him. We should honor and value all that he does.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. (1Sa 3:12; 2Sa 23:5; Psa 89:34; Mt 24:35; Jas 1:17). for ever--as opposed to man's perishing labors (Ec 2:15-18). any thing taken from it--opposed to man's "crooked and wanting" works (Ec 1:15; 7:13). The event of man's labors depends wholly on God's immutable purpose. Man's part, therefore, is to do and enjoy every earthly thing in its proper season (Ec 3:12, 13), not setting aside God's order, but observing deep reverence towards God; for the…Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 3:14
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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