Ecclesiastes 9:12
For man knoweth not his time. As fishes that are taken in a destructive net, and as birds that are caught in a snare, so are the sons of men snared in a time of distress, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
Noyes Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
13This also have I seen; even wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me.
Cross References
Psalms 11:6Upon the wicked he will rain lightning; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.
Psalms 73:19How are they brought to desolation in a moment, And utterly consumed with sudden destruction!
Proverbs 7:22He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the chastisement of the fool,
Proverbs 29:6In the transgression of a wicked man there is a snare; But the righteous shall sing and rejoice.
Ecclesiastes 8:8No man hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit, and no man hath power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in that war; and wickedness shall not deliver those that are guilty of it.
Isaiah 30:13Therefore shall this iniquity be to you Like a breach ready to give way, That swelleth out in a high wall, Whose fall cometh suddenly, in an instant.
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 →