Ecclesiastes 3:18

Said, I, in my heart, as concerning the sons of men, That God was minded to prove them,—and that they might see, that they were beasts, of themselves.

The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham

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

17Said, I, in my heart, Both the righteous and the lawless, will God judge,—for [there will be] a time for every pursuit, and concerning every work—there.

19For, as regardeth the destiny of the sons of men and the destiny of beasts, one fate, have they, as dieth the one, so, dieth the other, and, one spirit, have they all,—and, the pre-eminence of man over beast, is nothing, for, all, were vanity:

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Cross References

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

Job 40:8Wilt thou even frustrate my justice? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest appear right?

Psalms 49:14Like sheep—into hades, are they driven, Death shall shepherd them,—And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, Even their form, is to decay, Hades, is all that remaineth of a habitation for him.

Psalms 51:4Against thee—against thee alone, have I sinned, And, wickedness—in thine eyes, have I done,—That thou mayest, Be justified when thou speakest,—Be clear when thou judgest.

Psalms 73:22But, I, was brutish, and could not perceive, Like the beasts, had I become before thee.

Romans 3:4Far be it! But let, God, prove to be, true, albeit, every man, be false! Even as it is written—That thou mightest be declared righteous in thy words, and overcome when thou art in 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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