Ecclesiastes 3:18

I also thought to myself, “Regarding what happens to human beings—God proves to us that we're no better than animals.”

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

In Context

17But then I thought to myself, “Ultimately God will judge both those who do right and those who do wrong, and every deed and action, at the appointed time.”

19For what happens to human beings is the same as what happens to animals—in the same way one dies, the other dies too. They all have the breath of life—so regarding any advantage human beings have over animals, there is none. Definitely this is very hard to understand!

Read all of Ecclesiastes 3

Cross References

Job 14:1“Life is short and full of trouble,

Job 40:8Are you really going to say my decisions are wrong? Are you going to condemn me so you can be right?

Psalms 49:14Like sheep they are destined for the grave. Death will be their shepherd. Those who live right will rule over them in the morning. Their bodies will decay in the grave, far from their homes.

Psalms 51:4I have sinned against you, you alone. I have done evil in your sight. So you are right in what you say, and fair when you judge.

Psalms 73:22I was stupid and ignorant. I was like a brute beast to you.

Romans 3:4Of course not! Even if everyone else is proved to be lying, God always tells the truth. As Scripture says, “What you say will be proved right, and you will win your case when you are judged.”

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 3:17-22

Immutability of God's Counsel; The Extent of Mortality. 16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19 For that which befalleth the… Read the whole commentary →

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