Ecclesiastes 3:12

So I perceaued that in those thinges there is nothyng better for a man then to be mery, and to do well as long as he lyueth.

Bible (Bishops')

In The King James Version

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

In Context

11All this hath he ordeyned marueilous goodly, to euery thyng his due tyme: He hath planted ignoraunce also in the heartes of men, that they shoulde not comprehende the ground of his workes which he doth from the begynnyng to the ende.

13For all that a man eateth & drynketh, yea whatsoeuer a man enioyeth of all his labour: that same is a gyft of God.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 3

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 3:22Wherfore I perceaue that there is nothyng better for a man then to be ioyfull in his labour, for that is his portion: But who wyll bryng hym to see the thyng that shall come after hym?

Ecclesiastes 9:7Go thou thy way then, eate thy bread with ioy, & drinke thy wine with a glad heart, for thy workes please god:

Isaiah 64:5Thou helpest hym that doth right with chearefulnesse, and them that thinke vpon thee in thy wayes: but lo, thou hast ben angrie, for we offended, and haue ben euer in sinne, though the worlde hath cleaued to them, yet shall we be saued.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 3:12-16

Mutability of Human Affairs. 11 He 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. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 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… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 3:12