Ecclesiastes 9:3

This is a very great evil among all things that are done under the sun, that the same things happen to all men: whereby also the hearts of the children of men are filled with evil, and with contempt while they live, and afterwards they shall be brought down to hell.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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 are kept uncertain for the time to come, because all things equally happen to the just and to the wicked, to the good and to the evil, to the clean and to the unclean, to him that offereth victims, and to him that despiseth sacrifices. As the good is, so also is the sinner: as the perjured, so he also that sweareth truth.

4There is no man that liveth always, or that hopeth for this: a living dog is better than a dead lion.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 9

Cross References

Genesis 8:21And the Lord smelled a sweet savour, and said: I will no more curse the earth for the sake of man: for the imagination and thought of man's heart are prone to evil from his youth: therefore I will no more destroy every living soul as I have done.

Job 15:16How much more is man abominable, and unprofitable, who drinketh iniquity like water?

Psalms 51:5For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.

Proverbs 14:32The wicked man shall be driven out in his wickedness: but the just hath hope in his death.

Ecclesiastes 2:14The eyes of a wise man are in his head: the fool walketh in darkness: and I learned that they were to die both alike.

Ecclesiastes 8:11For because sentence is not speedily pronounced against the evil, the children of men commit evils without any fear.

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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Study Ecclesiastes 9:3