Christian Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 3:14
14I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of 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 enjoy the good life. 13It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him. 15Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. However, God seeks justice for the persecuted. 16I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness.
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
Words taken from the KJV.
- I knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- that, whatsoever Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- doethעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- it shall be for everעוֹלָם‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm · forever: enduringH5769
- nothingאַ֫יִן'ayin · nothingH369
- can be putיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
- to it, nor any thing takenגָּרַעgâra‛ · diminishH1639
- should fearיָרֵאyârê' · to fear: revereH3372
- beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 3:14
- Psalms 33:11The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart from generation to generation.
- Psalms 119:90Your faithfulness is for all generations; you established the earth, and it stands firm.
- Isaiah 46:10I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will.
- Daniel 4:34But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified him who lives forever: For his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.
- Acts 2:23Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him.
- Acts 4:28to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place.
- Romans 11:36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
- Ephesians 3:11This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- James 1:17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
- Psalms 76:10Even human wrath will praise you; you will clothe yourself with the wrath that remains.
- Proverbs 19:21Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.
- Proverbs 21:30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the Lord.
- Proverbs 30:6Don’t add to his words, or he will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.
- Acts 5:39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him.
- Psalms 64:9Then everyone will fear and will tell about God’s work, for they will understand what he has done.
- Isaiah 59:18So he will repay according to their deeds: fury to his enemies, retribution to his foes, and he will repay the coasts and 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
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries