1 T o every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

¶ For all things there is a season, and every will under the heaven has its time determined.

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 pluck up that which is planted;

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 break 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;

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 cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, 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 of war, and a time of peace.

9 W hat profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

What profit does the one that works have in that in which he labours?

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

I have seen the travail which God has given to the sons of men that they may be occupied in it.

11 H e 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 every thing beautiful in his time: even the world he has given over to their will, in such a way that no man can attain to this work that God makes from the beginning to the 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 have learned that there is nothing better for them, but to rejoice and to do good in his life.

13 A nd also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labour; it 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 have understood that whatever God does, it shall be for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it because God does it that men should fear before him.

15 T hat which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

That which has been is now, and that which is to be has already been and God shall seek that which is past.

16 A nd moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

¶ And moreover I saw under the sun that instead of judgment, there was wickedness; and instead of righteousness, that iniquity 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 said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time determined to judge every will and regarding everything that is done.

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 said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men that God might manifest them and that they might see that they themselves are beasts one to another.

19 F or 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.

For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; even one thing befalls them: as the one dies, so dies the other; and they all have one breath; so that a man has no more breath than a beast: for all is vanity.

20 A ll go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all shall turn to dust again.

21 W ho knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Who knows that the spirit of the sons of men goes upward and that the spirit of the beast goes downward to the earth?

22 W herefore 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?

Therefore 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?