Ecclesiastes 9:3

This is a very great burden among all things that are done under the sun: that the same things happen to everyone. And when the hearts of the sons of men are filled with malice and contempt in their lives, afterwards they shall be dragged down to hell.

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

2But all things in the future remain uncertain, because all things happen equally to the just and to the impious, to the good and to the bad, to the pure and to the impure, to those who offer sacrifices and to those who despise sacrifices. As the good are, so also are sinners. As those who commit perjury are, so also are those who swear to the truth.

4There is no one who lives forever, or who even has confidence in this regard. A living dog is better than a dead lion.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 9

Cross References

Genesis 8:21And the Lord smelled the sweet odor and said: “I will no longer curse the earth because of man. For the feelings and thoughts of the heart of man are prone to evil from his youth. Therefore, I will no longer pierce every living soul as I have done.

Job 15:16How much more abominable and useless is the man who drinks as if from the water of iniquity?

Psalms 51:5You have loved malice above goodness, and iniquity more than speaking righteousness.

Proverbs 14:32The impious will be expelled in his malice. But the just finds hope even in his own death.

Ecclesiastes 2:14The eyes of a wise man are in his head. A foolish man walks in darkness. Yet I learned that one would pass away like the other.

Ecclesiastes 8:11For the sons of men perpetrate evils without any fear, because judgment is not pronounced quickly against the evil.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 9:2-4

Mysteries in Providence. 1 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. 2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 3 This… Read the whole commentary →

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