Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.” New Living Translation But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” English Standard Version See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. Berean Standard Bible Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” King James Bible Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. New King James Version Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes.” New American Standard Bible Behold, I have found only this, that God made people upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” NASB 1995 “Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.” NASB 1977 “Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.” Legacy Standard Bible See, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.” Amplified Bible Behold, I have found only this [as a reason]: God made man upright and uncorrupted, but they [both men and women] have sought out many devices [for evil].” Christian Standard Bible Only see this: I have discovered that God made people upright, but they pursued many schemes.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Only see this: I have discovered that God made people upright, but they pursued many schemes.” American Standard Version Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Contemporary English Version I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds. English Revised Version Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. GOD'S WORD® Translation I have found only this: God made people decent, but they looked for many ways [to avoid being decent]." Good News Translation This is all that I have learned: God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated. International Standard Version I have discovered only this: God made human beings for righteousness, but they seek many alternatives." NET Bible This alone have I discovered: God made humankind upright, but they have sought many evil schemes. New Heart English Bible Look, this only have I found, that God made humankind upright, but they search for many schemes. Webster's Bible Translation Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOnly this have I found: I have discovered that God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” World English Bible Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionSee, this alone I have found, that God made man upright, and they have sought out many inventions. Young's Literal Translation See, this alone I have found, that God made man upright, and they -- they have sought out many devices. Smith's Literal Translation Only see, this I found, that God made man upright; and they sought out many purposes. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOnly this I have found, that God made man right, and he hath entangled himself with an infinity of questions. Who is as the wise man? and who hath known the resolution of the word? Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible But this alone I have found: God made humankind honest, but they have pursued many designs. New Revised Standard Version See, this alone I found, that God made human beings straightforward, but they have devised many schemes. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut behold, this thing I have found, that God has made men upright; but they have sought out many devices. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated However, see this that I have found: "God has made men upright, and they have searched out many schemes" OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Brenton Septuagint Translation But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many devices. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Limits of Human Wisdom…28While my soul was still searching but not finding, among a thousand I have found one upright man, but among all these I have not found one such woman. 29Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” Cross References Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. Romans 1:21-23 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Isaiah 53:6 We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Matthew 19:4 Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Hosea 6:7 But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me. Psalm 51:5 Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. Treasury of Scripture See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. god Genesis 1:26,27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth… Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; they Genesis 3:6,7 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat… Genesis 6:5,6,11,12 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually… Genesis 11:4-6 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth… Jump to Previous Alone Devices Found Inventions Mankind Schemes Search Searching Sorts Sought UprightJump to Next Alone Devices Found Inventions Mankind Schemes Search Searching Sorts Sought UprightEcclesiastes 7 1. remedies against vanity are, a good name2. mortification 7. patience 11. wisdom 23. The difficulty of wisdom Only this have I found: The speaker, traditionally understood to be Solomon, emphasizes a singular, significant discovery amidst his extensive search for wisdom and understanding. This phrase underscores the importance of the following insight, suggesting it is a distilled truth from his experiences and observations. In the broader context of Ecclesiastes, the search for meaning and the limitations of human wisdom are recurring themes. I have discovered that God made mankind upright: but they have sought out many schemes: Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. He reflects on the nature of humanity and the pursuit of meaning in life. 2. God The Creator who made humanity upright, indicating His original design and intention for mankind to live in righteousness and harmony with His will. 3. Men (Humanity) Refers to all of humanity, highlighting the universal nature of the human condition and the tendency to deviate from God's original design. 4. Schemes Represents the various ways in which humans deviate from God's path, seeking their own ways and plans that lead away from righteousness. 5. The Fall An implicit reference to the event in Genesis where humanity first turned away from God's command, introducing sin into the world. Teaching Points God's Original DesignGod created humanity with an upright nature, reflecting His righteousness and moral order. Recognize and appreciate the goodness of God's original design for our lives. Human Deviation Acknowledge the reality of sin and the human tendency to stray from God's path. Reflect on personal areas where you may be seeking your own schemes rather than God's will. The Need for Redemption Understand that because humanity has sought out many schemes, there is a need for redemption through Jesus Christ. Embrace the grace and forgiveness offered through faith in Him. Pursuing Righteousness Strive to align your life with God's original design by seeking His wisdom and guidance in all areas of life. Commit to living uprightly in accordance with His Word. Self-Examination Regularly examine your life for areas where you may be following your own plans instead of God's. Seek accountability and support from fellow believers to stay on the right path. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 7:29?2. How does Ecclesiastes 7:29 highlight the original righteousness of humanity? 3. What does "God made man upright" reveal about God's intentions for humanity? 4. How can we avoid the "many schemes" mentioned in Ecclesiastes 7:29? 5. Compare Ecclesiastes 7:29 with Genesis 1:31 on God's creation of humanity. 6. How can we align our lives with God's original design in Ecclesiastes 7:29? 7. What does Ecclesiastes 7:29 reveal about human nature according to the Berean Standard Bible? 8. How does Ecclesiastes 7:29 challenge the belief in inherent human goodness? 9. What historical context influences the message of Ecclesiastes 7:29? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7? 11. Ecclesiastes 7:29 states God made humanity upright, yet they chose many schemes—how does this reconcile with evolutionary science and humanity’s moral progression? 12. Why worry about those who do wrong? 13. In Ecclesiastes 12:7, how can the phrase 'the spirit returns to God' be reconciled with scientific understandings of consciousness and death? 14. Ecclesiastes 7:13 questions who can straighten what God has made crooked--does this challenge free will or the efficacy of human efforts through science and medicine? What Does Ecclesiastes 7:29 Mean Only this have I foundSolomon signals that what follows is the distilled conclusion of his exhaustive search for wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:13-17; 12:9-10). • The phrase highlights certainty after testing every alternative (cf. Proverbs 25:2). • Like a researcher sharing final results, Solomon is about to lay down a foundational truth everyone must reckon with. • His wording echoes the tone of closing arguments elsewhere in the book—“Here is the conclusion of the matter” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). I have discovered that God made mankind upright • God’s design was righteous and flawless (Genesis 1:26-31; 1:31). Creation began in innocence, not moral ambiguity. • Psalm 25:8 affirms that the Lord “instructs sinners in the way,” underscoring that deviation came later, not from His hand. • Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us that He “has made everything beautiful in its time.” Uprightness was humanity’s original condition. • The statement carries hope: if God made us upright once, He can restore uprightness again (Isaiah 64:8; Ephesians 2:10). but they have sought out many schemes Instead of walking the straight path, people intentionally devised crooked routes. • Genesis 3:1-6 shows the first “scheme,” where Adam and Eve questioned God’s word. • Genesis 6:5 describes the downward spiral: “every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was altogether evil all the time.” • Isaiah 53:6 captures the universal pattern: “We all like sheep have gone astray.” • Romans 1:21-23 portrays the intellectual side—“their thinking became futile.” • James 4:1-3 exposes relational fallout—conflict springs from desires that plot and plan. Common schemes include: – redefining truth to suit personal preference (Judges 21:25) – idolizing success, pleasure, or self (1 John 2:16) – manipulating others for gain (Micah 2:1) – religious self-righteousness that sidesteps grace (Matthew 23:27) Yet even our multiplied schemes cannot thwart God’s redemptive plan (Romans 5:15-19; 2 Corinthians 5:17). summary Solomon’s verdict is stark yet hope-filled: God’s handiwork was straight; our choices bent it. The verse explains why the world feels out of joint while affirming that the fault lies not in the Creator but in human hearts. Recognizing this contrast points us away from our own schemes and back to the God who first made us upright and still offers to make us new in Christ. Verse 29. - Lo, this only (or, only see! this) have I found. Universal corruption was that which met his wide investigations, but of one thing he was sure, which he proceeds to specify - he has learned to trace the degradation to its source, not in God's agency, but in man's perverse will. That God hath made man upright. Koheleth believes that man's original constitution was yasbar, "straight," "right," "morally good," and possessed of ability to choose and follow what was just and right (Genesis 1:26, etc.). Thus in the Book of Wisdom (2:23) we read, "God created man to be immortal, and made him an imago of his own nature (ἰιότητος). Nevertheless, through envy of the devil, came death into the world, and they that are his portion tempt it." But they (men) have sought out many inventions (chishshebonoth); 2 Chronicles 26:15, where the term implies works of invention, and is translated "engines," i.e. devices, ways of going astray and deviating from original righteousness. Man has thus abased his free-will, and employed the inventive faculty with which he was endowed in excoriating evil (Genesis 6:5). How this state of things came about, how the originally good man became thus wicked, the writer does not tell. He knows from revelation that God made him upright; he knows from experience that he is now evil; and he leaves the matter there. Plumptre quotes, as illustrating our text, a passage from the 'Antigone' of Sophocles, vers. 332, 365, 366, which he renders-"Many the things that strange and wondrous are, Πολλὰ μέν γᾶ τρέφει "Many fearful plagues Hebrew Onlyלְבַד֙ (lə·ḇaḏ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of this זֶ֣ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that have I found: רְאֵה־ (rə·’êh-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see I have discovered מָצָ֔אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present that אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that God הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative made עָשָׂ֧ה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make men הָאָדָ֖ם (hā·’ā·ḏām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being upright, יָשָׁ֑ר (yā·šār) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 3477: Straight, right but they וְהֵ֥מָּה (wə·hêm·māh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They have sought out בִקְשׁ֖וּ (ḇiq·šū) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after many רַבִּֽים׃ (rab·bîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7227: Much, many, great schemes.” חִשְּׁבֹנ֥וֹת (ḥiš·šə·ḇō·nō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2810: A contrivance, actual, mental Links Ecclesiastes 7:29 NIVEcclesiastes 7:29 NLT Ecclesiastes 7:29 ESV Ecclesiastes 7:29 NASB Ecclesiastes 7:29 KJV Ecclesiastes 7:29 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 7:29 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 7:29 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 7:29 French Bible Ecclesiastes 7:29 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:29 Behold this only have I found: that (Ecclesiast. 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