Ecclesiastes 3:18

I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

World English Bible Classic

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

17I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”

19For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 3

Cross References

Job 14:1“Man, who is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.

Job 40:8Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?

Psalms 49:14They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion.

Psalms 51:4Against you, and you only, I have sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.

Psalms 73:22I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

Romans 3:4May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, “that you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment.”

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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