Ecclesiastes 9:12
Even man has no knowledge of his time; like fishes taken in an evil net, or like birds taken by deceit, are the sons of men taken in an evil time when it comes suddenly on them.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
In Context
13This again I have seen under the sun as wisdom and it seemed great to me.
Cross References
Psalms 11:6On the evil-doer he will send down fire and flames, and a burning wind; with these will their cup be full.
Psalms 73:19How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.
Proverbs 7:22The simple man goes after her, like an ox going to its death, like a roe pulled by a cord;
Proverbs 29:6In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.
Ecclesiastes 8:8No man has authority over the wind, to keep the wind; or is ruler over the day of his death. In war no man's time is free, and evil will not keep the sinner safe.
Isaiah 30:13This sin will be to you like a crack in a high wall, causing its fall suddenly and in a minute.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 9:12-13
The Disappointment of Hopes. 11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. The preacher here, for a… Read the whole commentary →