New American Standard Bible 2020
Ecclesiastes 3:12
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 the sons of mankind with which to occupy themselves. 11He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; 13moreover, that every person who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor--this is the gift of God. 14I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it. And God has so worked, that people will fear Him.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 3Ecclesiastes 3:12 word by word
יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּ֛י אֵ֥ין ט֖וֹב בָּ֑ם כִּ֣י אִם־לִשְׂמ֔וֹחַ וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת ט֖וֹב בְּחַיָּֽיו׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 3:12
- Ecclesiastes 3:22I have seen that nothing is better than when a person is happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?
- Ecclesiastes 9:7Go then, eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works.
- Deuteronomy 28:63And it will come about that, just as the Lord rejoiced over you to be good to you, and make you numerous, so will the Lord rejoice over you to wipe you out and destroy you; and you will be torn away from the land which you are entering to possess.
- Psalms 37:3Trust in the Lord and do good; Live in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
- Isaiah 64:5You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways. Behold, You were angry, for we sinned, We continued in our sins for a long time; Yet shall we be saved?
- Luke 11:41But give that which is within as a charitable gift, and then all things are clean for you.
- Acts 20:35In everything I showed you 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 to give than to receive.’”
- Philippians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what 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 and ready to share,
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
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 2020 — © 1960–2020 The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Commentaries