New American Standard Bible 1995
Ecclesiastes 3:14
14I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should 12fear 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 to do good in one’s lifetime; 13moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor--it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. 15That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by. 16Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice 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
- that everythingכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
- that everythingאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
- Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- doesעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- will remainהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
- foreverעוֹלָם‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm · forever: enduringH5769
- thereאַ֫יִן'ayin · nothingH369
- to addיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
- to takeגָּרַעgâra‛ · diminishH1639
- fearיָרֵאyârê' · to fear: revereH3372
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 continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.
- Isaiah 46:10Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
- Daniel 4:34“But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
- Acts 2:23this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
- Acts 4:28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.
- Romans 11:36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
- Ephesians 3:11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
- James 1:17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
- Psalms 76:10For the wrath of man shall praise You; With a remnant of wrath You will gird Yourself.
- Proverbs 19:21Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand.
- Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the Lord.
- Proverbs 30:6Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
- Acts 5:39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
- Psalms 64:9Then all men will fear, And they will declare the work of God, And will consider what He has done.
- Isaiah 59:18According to their deeds, so He will repay, Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; To the coastlands He will make recompense.
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
Notes
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
New American Standard Bible 1995 — © 1960–1995 The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Commentaries