Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless. New Living Translation And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! English Standard Version There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. Berean Standard Bible There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile. King James Bible 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. New King James Version There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. New American Standard Bible There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are evil people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility. NASB 1995 There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are evil men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility. NASB 1977 There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are evil men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility. Legacy Standard Bible There is vanity which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the works of the wicked. On the other hand, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the works of the righteous. I say that this too is vanity. Amplified Bible There is a meaningless and futile thing which is done on the earth: that is, there are righteous men whose gain is as though they were evil, and evil men whose gain is as though they were righteous. I say that this too is futility (meaningless, vain). Christian Standard Bible There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile. Holman Christian Standard Bible There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile. American Standard Version There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. Contemporary English Version There is something else that doesn't make sense to me. Good citizens are treated as criminals, while criminals are honored as though they were good citizens. English Revised Version There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be righteous 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation There is something being done on earth that is pointless. Righteous people suffer for what the wicked do, and wicked people get what the righteous deserve. I say that even this is pointless. Good News Translation But this is nonsense. Look at what happens in the world: sometimes the righteous get the punishment of the wicked, and the wicked get the reward of the righteous. I say it is useless. International Standard Version Here is a pointless thing that happens on earth: A righteous man receives what happens to the wicked, and a wicked man receives what happens to the righteous. I concluded that this, too, is pointless. Majority Standard Bible There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile. NET Bible Here is another enigma that occurs on earth: Sometimes there are righteous people who get what the wicked deserve, and sometimes there are wicked people who get what the righteous deserve. I said, "This also is an enigma." New Heart English Bible There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. Webster's Bible Translation There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there are just men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. World English Bible There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThere is a vanity that has been done on the earth, that there are righteous ones to whom it is coming according to the work of the wicked, and there are wicked ones to whom it is coming according to the work of the righteous. I have said that this [is] also vanity. Young's Literal Translation There is a vanity that hath been done upon the earth, that there are righteous ones unto whom it is coming according to the work of the wicked, and there are wicked ones unto whom it is coming according to the work of the righteous. I have said that this also is vanity. Smith's Literal Translation There is vanity which was done upon the earth; that there is the just which it comes upon them according to the work of the unjust: and there is the unjust, it comes upon them according to the work of the just. I said, Also this is vanity. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThere is also another vanity, which is done upon the earth. There are just men to whom evils happen, as though they had done the works of the wicked: and there are wicked men, who are as secure, as though they had the deeds of the just: but this also I judge most vain. Catholic Public Domain Version There is also another vanity, which is done upon the earth. There are the just, to whom evils happen, as though they had done the works of the impious. And there are the impious, who are very secure, as though they possess the deeds of the just. But this, too, I judge to be a very great vanity. New American Bible This is a vanity that occurs on earth: There are those who are just but are treated as though they had done evil, and those who are wicked but are treated as though they had done justly. This, too, I say is vanity. New Revised Standard Version There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people who are treated according to the conduct of the wicked, and there are wicked people who are treated according to the conduct of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThere is a vanity which is done upon the earth; there are just men, to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; and there are wicked men, to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous; I said that this also is vanity. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated There is futility that is done upon Earth because there are righteous ones to whom it happens as the work of the wicked, and there are the wicked to whom it happens like the work of righteous ones; and I said that this also is futility OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917There is a vanity which is done upon the earth: that there are righteous men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous--I said that this also is vanity. Brenton Septuagint Translation There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there are righteous persons to whom it happens according to the doing of the ungodly; and there are ungodly men, to whom it happens according to the doing of the just: I said, This is also vanity. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God's Ways are Mysterious14There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile. 15So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.… Cross References Psalm 73:3-14 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. / They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. / They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. ... Job 21:7-15 Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? / Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. / Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. ... Jeremiah 12:1-2 Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts. Malachi 3:15-18 So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’” / At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name. / “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. ... Psalm 37:7-9 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. / Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm. / For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. Habakkuk 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? Psalm 49:16-17 Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. Isaiah 57:1-2 The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous are taken away from the presence of evil. / Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death. Proverbs 11:18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. Psalm 92:7 that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed. Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Luke 16:25 But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, / and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels Treasury of Scripture There is a vanity which is done on the earth; that there be just men, to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. a vanity Ecclesiastes 4:4,8 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… Ecclesiastes 9:3 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. Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: there shall be just Ecclesiastes 2:14 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. Ecclesiastes 7:15 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. Ecclesiastes 9:1-3 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… Jump to Previous Deeds Deserve Earth Evil Good Hand Happeneth Happens Meaningless Punishment Purpose Righteous Something Vanity Wicked WorkJump to Next Deeds Deserve Earth Evil Good Hand Happeneth Happens Meaningless Punishment Purpose Righteous Something Vanity Wicked WorkEcclesiastes 8 1. true wisdom is modest2. Kings are to be respected 6. Divine providence is to be observed 12. It is better with the godly in adversity, than with the wicked in prosperity 16. The work of God is unsearchable There is a futility The Hebrew word for "futility" is "hebel," which is often translated as "vanity" or "meaninglessness." This term is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the transient and elusive nature of worldly pursuits. In a conservative Christian perspective, this futility points to the fallen state of the world due to sin, where human efforts apart from God often lead to frustration and lack of fulfillment. that is done on the earth there are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve I say that this too is futile Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew There isיֶשׁ־ (yeš-) Adverb Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is a futility הֶבֶל֮ (he·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory that אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that is done נַעֲשָׂ֣ה (na·‘ă·śāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the earth: הָאָרֶץ֒ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land There are יֵ֣שׁ (yêš) Adverb Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is righteous [men] צַדִּיקִ֗ים (ṣad·dî·qîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 6662: Just, righteous who אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that get מַגִּ֤יעַ (mag·gî·a‘) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike what the actions כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה (kə·ma·‘ă·śêh) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property of the wicked [deserve], הָרְשָׁעִ֔ים (hā·rə·šā·‘îm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person and there are וְיֵ֣שׁ (wə·yêš) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is wicked [men] רְשָׁעִ֔ים (rə·šā·‘îm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person who אֲלֵהֶ֖ם (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to get שֶׁמַּגִּ֥יעַ (šem·mag·gî·a‘) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike what the actions כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה (kə·ma·‘ă·śêh) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property of the righteous deserve. הַצַּדִּיקִ֑ים (haṣ·ṣad·dî·qîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 6662: Just, righteous I say אָמַ֕רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say that this זֶ֖ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that too שֶׁגַּם־ (šeg·gam-) Pronoun - relative | Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and is futile. הָֽבֶל׃ (hā·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory Links Ecclesiastes 8:14 NIVEcclesiastes 8:14 NLT Ecclesiastes 8:14 ESV Ecclesiastes 8:14 NASB Ecclesiastes 8:14 KJV Ecclesiastes 8:14 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 8:14 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 8:14 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 8:14 French Bible Ecclesiastes 8:14 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 8:14 There is a vanity which is done (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
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