KJV - NIV Comparison of Ecclesiastes

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Ecclesiastes - Chapter 1

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.	The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2	Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.	"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
3	What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?	What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?
4	One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.	Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
5	The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.	The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.
6	The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.	The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
7	All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.	All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.
8	All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.	All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.
9	The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.	What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
10	Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.	Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
11	There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.	There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.
12	I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.	I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13	And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.	I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
14	I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.	I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
15	That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.	What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
16	I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.	I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."
17	And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.	Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
18	For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.	For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 2

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.	I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.
2	I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?	"Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?"
3	I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.	I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
4	I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:	I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
5	I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:	I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
6	I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:	I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
7	I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:	I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
8	I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.	I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well--the delights of the heart of man.
9	So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.	I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
10	And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.	I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
11	Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.	Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
12	And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.	Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?
13	Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.	I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
14	The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.	The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.
15	Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.	Then I thought in my heart, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" I said in my heart, "This too is meaningless."
16	For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.	For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die!
17	Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.	So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
18	Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.	I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.
19	And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.	And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.
20	Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.	So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.
21	For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.	For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.
22	For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?	What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?
23	For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.	All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
24	There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.	A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
25	For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?	for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?
26	For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.	To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 3

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:	There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2	A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;	a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3	A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;	a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4	A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;	a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5	A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;	a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6	A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;	a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7	A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;	a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8	A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.	a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9	What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?	What does the worker gain from his toil?
10	I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.	I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11	He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.	He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
12	I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.	I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
13	And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.	That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.
14	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.	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 men will revere him.
15	That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.	Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.
16	And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.	And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there.
17	I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.	I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed."
18	I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.	I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.
19	For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.	Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless.
20	All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.	All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.
21	Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?	Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
22	Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?	So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 4

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.	Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-- and they have no comforter.
2	Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.	And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
3	Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.	But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
4	Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.	And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
5	The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.	The fool folds his hands and ruins himself.
6	Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.	Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
7	Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.	Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
8	There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.	There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless-- a miserable business!
9	Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.	Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
10	For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.	If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
11	Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?	Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
12	And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.	Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
13	Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.	Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning.
14	For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.	The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom.
15	I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.	I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor.
16	There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.	There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 5

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.	Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2	Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.	Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
3	For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.	As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.
4	When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.	When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
5	Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.	It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
6	Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?	Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?
7	For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.	Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.
8	If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.	If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.
9	Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.	The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
10	He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.	Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
11	When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?	As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?
12	The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.	The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.
13	There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.	I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
14	But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.	or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.
15	As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.	Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.
16	And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?	This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?
17	All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.	All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.
18	Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.	Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot.
19	Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.	Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God.
20	For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.	He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 6

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:	I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men:
2	A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.	God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.
3	If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.	A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
4	For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.	It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.
5	Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.	Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man--
6	Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?	even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
7	All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.	All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
8	For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?	What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others?
9	Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.	Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
10	That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.	Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he.
11	Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?	The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
12	For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?	For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 7

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.	A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.
2	It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.	It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.
3	Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.	Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
4	The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.	The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
5	It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.	It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.
6	For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.	Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.
7	Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.	Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8	Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.	The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
9	Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.	Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
10	Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.	Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.
11	Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.	Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.
12	For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.	Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
13	Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?	Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
14	In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.	When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.
15	All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.	In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.
16	Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?	Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-- why destroy yourself?
17	Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?	Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-- why die before your time?
18	It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.	It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.
19	Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.	Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
20	For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.	There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.
21	Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:	Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you--
22	For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.	for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23	All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.	All this I tested by wisdom and I said, "I am determined to be wise"-- but this was beyond me.
24	That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?	Whatever wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound-- who can discover it?
25	I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:	So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.
26	And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.	I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.
27	Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:	"Look," says the Teacher, "this is what I have discovered: "Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things--
28	Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.	while I was still searching but not finding-- I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all.
29	Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.	This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes."

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 8

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.	Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance.
2	I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.	Obey the king's command, I say, because you took an oath before God.
3	Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.	Do not be in a hurry to leave the king's presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.
4	Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?	Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
5	Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.	Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
6	Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.	For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him.
7	For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?	Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?
8	There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.	No man has power over the wind to contain it ; so no one has power over the day of his death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.
9	All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.	All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt.
10	And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.	Then too, I saw the wicked buried--those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless.
11	Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.	When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.
12	Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:	Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God.
13	But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.	Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.
14	There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.	There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless.
15	Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.	So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.
16	When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)	When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth--his eyes not seeing sleep day or night--
17	Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.	then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 9

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.	So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him.
2	All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.	All share a common destiny--the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good man, so with the sinner; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them.
3	This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.	This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.
4	For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.	Anyone who is among the living has hope --even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
5	For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.	For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten.
6	Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.	Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.
7	Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.	Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.
8	Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.	Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.
9	Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.	Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun-- all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.
10	Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.	Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
11	I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.	I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
12	For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.	Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.
13	This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:	I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me:
14	There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:	There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it.
15	Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.	Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.
16	Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.	So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.
17	The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.	The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
18	Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.	Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 10

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.	As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2	A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.	The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
3	Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.	Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
4	If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.	If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
5	There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:	There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
6	Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.	Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
7	I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.	I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8	He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.	Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9	Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.	Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10	If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.	If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
11	Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.	If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12	The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.	Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
13	The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.	At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--
14	A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?	and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him?
15	The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.	A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
16	Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!	Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.
17	Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!	Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time-- for strength and not for drunkenness.
18	By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.	If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
19	A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.	A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20	Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.	Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 11

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.	Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
2	Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.	Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
3	If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.	If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie.
4	He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.	Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5	As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.	As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
6	In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.	Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
7	Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:	Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
8	But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.	However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.
9	Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.	Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
10	Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.	So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Ecclesiastes - Chapter 12

Verse	King James Version	New International Version
1	Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;	Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"--
2	While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:	before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
3	In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,	when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4	And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;	when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;
5	Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:	when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
6	Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.	Remember him--before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well,
7	Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.	and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8	Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.	"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!"
9	And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.	Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
10	The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.	The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11	The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.	The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--given by one Shepherd.
12	And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.	Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
13	Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.	Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
14	For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.	For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

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