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Ecclesiastes 5:19

Ecclesiastes 5:20 net — For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derive…

NET Bible

"For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity."

— Ecclesiastes 5:20, NET Bible

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Ecclesiastes 5:20 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 5 — Context

17

Surely, he ate in darkness every day of his life, and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger.

18

Enjoy the Fruit of Your Labor I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward.

19

To every man whom God has given wealth, and possessions, he has also given him the ability to eat from them, to receive his reward and to find enjoyment in his toil; these things are the gift of God.

20

For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.

Ecclesiastes 5:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 5:20 say?
Ecclesiastes 5:20 in the NET Bible reads: “For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 5:20 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 5:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, 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 5:20.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 5:20 in?
Ecclesiastes 5:20 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 5:20?
Ecclesiastes 5:20 reads (NET): “For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.” 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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