Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 ▼

1 There is a season for everything, and a time for every event under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted;

3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build up;

4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 a time to scatter stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 a time to search, and a time to give up searching; a time to keep, and a time to discard;

7 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 for war, and a time for peace.

9 What benefit does the worker gain from what he undertakes?

10 I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them.

11 He made everything appropriate in its time. He also placed eternity within them—yet, no person can fully comprehend what God is doing from beginning to end.

12 I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life;

13 moreover, every person should eat, drink, and enjoy the benefits of everything that he undertakes, since it is a gift from God.