Ecclesiastes 8:13 asv — but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth…

American Standard Version

"but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. "

— Ecclesiastes 8:13, American Standard Version

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Ecclesiastes 8:13 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 8 — Context

10

So I saw the wicked buried, and they came to the grave; and they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city: this also is vanity.

11

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

12

Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his days, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him:

13

but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

14

There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

15

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.

16

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes),

Ecclesiastes 8:13 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 8:13 say?
Ecclesiastes 8:13 in the American Standard Version reads: “but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. ”
Where is Ecclesiastes 8:13 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 8:13 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 8, verse 13.
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 8:13.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 8:13 in?
Ecclesiastes 8:13 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 8:13?
Ecclesiastes 8:13 reads (ASV): “but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. ” 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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