Ecclesiastes 7:2 net — It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this…

NET Bible

"It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart."

— Ecclesiastes 7:2, NET Bible

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Ecclesiastes 7:2 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 7 — Context

1

Life is Brief and Death is Certain! A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.

2

It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.

3

Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.

4

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking.

5

Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 7:2 say?
Ecclesiastes 7:2 in the NET Bible reads: “It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 7:2 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 7:2 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, verse 2.
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 7:2.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 7:2 in?
Ecclesiastes 7:2 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 7:2?
Ecclesiastes 7:2 reads (NET): “It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.” 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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