Ecclesiastes, 3

The author reflects on the cycles of life, including birth, death, and the changing of seasons, and how all things are under the control of God.

Ecclesiastes, 3

22
verses
2
min

Bible version

The Cycles of Life

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
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 from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
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 sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Commentary

Ecclesiastes 3 is a chapter that speaks to the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of death. The author begins by noting that there is a time for everything, from birth to death, and that all of these events are predetermined by God. He then goes on to list a variety of activities that are part of life, such as planting and harvesting, weeping and laughing, and embracing and refraining from embracing. The author emphasizes that all of these activities are part of the cycle of life and that they are all predetermined by God. The author then goes on to note that God has made everything beautiful in its own time and that there is nothing that can be done to change this. He emphasizes that God has made everything beautiful in its own time and that it is not up to us to try and change it. He also notes that God has put eternity in our hearts, which is a reminder that life is fleeting and that death is inevitable. The author concludes by noting that God will judge us according to our deeds and that we should strive to do what is right in His eyes. He emphasizes that we should not be discouraged by the inevitability of death, but rather that we should strive to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. Overall, Ecclesiastes 3 is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of death. It is a reminder that God has predetermined all of our activities and that we should strive to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him.

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FAQ

Assuming a reader with an average reading speed of 300 WPM reads the Ecclesiastes, chapter 3 it would take approximately 2 minutes to finish.

There are 22 verses in Ecclesiastes, chapter 3.