Ecclesiastes 3:20 net — Both go to the same place, both come from the dust, and to dust both return.

NET Bible

"Both go to the same place, both come from the dust, and to dust both return."

— Ecclesiastes 3:20, NET Bible

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Ecclesiastes 3:20 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 3 — Context

17

I thought to myself,“God will judge both the righteous and the wicked; for there is an appropriate time for every activity, and there is a time of judgment for every deed.

18

I also thought to myself,“It is for the sake of people, so God can clearly show them that they are like animals.

19

For the fate of humans and the fate of animals are the same: As one dies, so dies the other; both have the same breath. There is no advantage for humans over animals, for both are fleeting.

20

Both go to the same place, both come from the dust, and to dust both return.

21

Who really knows if the human spirit ascends upward, and the animal’s spirit descends into the earth?

22

So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?

Ecclesiastes 3:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 3:20 say?
Ecclesiastes 3:20 in the NET Bible reads: “Both go to the same place, both come from the dust, and to dust both return.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 3:20 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 3:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verse 20.
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 3:20.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 3:20 in?
Ecclesiastes 3:20 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 3:20?
Ecclesiastes 3:20 reads (NET): “Both go to the same place, both come from the dust, and to dust both return.” 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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