Ecclesiastes 3:12

In 11 translations

BSB

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live,

KJV

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

WEB

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

ASV

I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.

LSV

I have known that there is no good for them except to rejoice and to do good during their life,

YLT

I have known that there is no good for them except to rejoice and to do good during their life,

DBY

I know that there is nothing good for them but to rejoice and to do well in their life;

DRC

And I have known that there was no better thing than to rejoice, and to do well in this life.

GNV

I know that there is nothing good in them, but to reioyce, and to doe good in his life.

JPS

I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to get pleasure so long as they live.

LXXE

I know that there is no good in them, except for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּ֛י אֵ֥ין ט֖וֹב בָּ֑ם כִּ֣י אִם־לִשְׂמ֔וֹחַ וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת ט֖וֹב בְּחַיָּֽיו׃

LXX-Br

Ἔγνων ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἀγαθὸν ἐν αὐτοῖς, εἰ μὴ τοῦ εὐφρανθῆναι καὶ τοῦ ποιεῖν ἀγαθὸν ἐν ζωῇ αὐτοῦ·

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Psalms 37:3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
• Ecclesiastes 3:22I have seen 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 come after him?
• 1 Timothy 6:18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15–16Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice at all times.
• Philippians 4:4–9Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your…
• Acts 20:35In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
• Luke 11:41But give as alms the things that are within you, and you will see that everything is clean for you.
• Isaiah 64:5You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins?
• Ecclesiastes 9:7–9Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works: Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head. Enjoy life with your beloved…
• Deuteronomy 28:63Just as it pleased the LORD to make you prosper and multiply, so also it will please Him to annihilate you and destroy you. And you will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess.

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).