Ecclesiastes 3:12 bbe — I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him.

Bible in Basic English

"I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him."

— Ecclesiastes 3:12, Bible in Basic English

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Ecclesiastes 3:12 in Other Translations

3 versions All translations

Ecclesiastes 3 — Context

9

What profit has the worker in the work which he does?

10

I saw the work which God has put on the sons of man.

11

He has made everything right in its time; but he has made their hearts without knowledge, so that man is unable to see the works of God, from the first to the last.

12

I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him.

13

And for every man to take food and drink, and have joy in all his work, is a reward from God.

14

I am certain that whatever God does will be for ever. No addition may be made to it, nothing may be taken from it; and God has done it so that man may be in fear before him.

15

Whatever is has been before, and what is to be is now; because God makes search for the things which are past.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 3:12 say?
Ecclesiastes 3:12 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 3:12 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 3:12 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verse 12.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 3:12.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 3:12 in?
Ecclesiastes 3:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 3:12?
Ecclesiastes 3:12 reads (BBE): “I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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