Ecclesiastes 3:12 kjva — I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

King James Version with Apocrypha

"I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life."

— Ecclesiastes 3:12, King James Version with Apocrypha

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Ecclesiastes 3:12 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Ecclesiastes 3 — Context

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.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 3:12 say?
Ecclesiastes 3:12 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.”
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 (KJVA): “I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.” 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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