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the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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New Living Translation

Ecclesiastes 8:12

But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Fear of God;   Punishment;   Wicked (People);   Thompson Chain Reference - Godliness;   Profit and Loss;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Fear, Godly;  

Dictionaries:

- Fausset Bible Dictionary - Ecclesiastes, the Book of;   Joab;   Law;   Solomon;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ecclesiastes, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ecclesiastes;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Numbers (2);  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Death;   Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher;   Number;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for August 27;  

Parallel Translations

Update Bible Version
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with those that fear God, that fear before him:
New Century Version
Though a sinner might do a hundred evil things and might live a long time, I know it will be better for those who honor God.
New English Translation
Even though a sinner might commit a hundred crimes and still live a long time, yet I know that it will go well with God-fearing people—for they stand in fear before him.
Webster's Bible Translation
Though a sinner doeth evil a hundred times, and his [days] are prolonged, yet surely I know that it will be well with them that fear God, who fear before him:
World English Bible
Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.
Amplified Bible
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and his life [seemingly] is prolonged [in spite of his wickedness], still I know that it will be well with those who [reverently] fear God, who fear and worship Him openly [realizing His omnipresence and His power].
English Standard Version
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Netheles of that, that a synnere doith yuel an hundrid sithis, and is suffrid bi pacience, Y knew that good schal be to men dredynge God, that reuerensen his face.
English Revised Version
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and prolong his days, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
Berean Standard Bible
Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence.
Contemporary English Version
They commit hundreds of crimes and live to a ripe old age, in spite of the saying: Everyone who lives right and respects God will prosper,
American Standard Version
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:
Bible in Basic English
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and his life is long, I am certain that it will be well for those who go in fear of God and are in fear before him.
Complete Jewish Bible
For a sinner can do evil a hundred times and still live a long life; although I know that in the end things will go well with those who fear God, because they fear him.
Darby Translation
Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, because they fear before him;
Easy-to-Read Version
A sinner might do a hundred evil things and still live a long time. But I know that it is still better to obey and respect God.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
because a sinner doeth evil a hundred times, and prolongeth his days--though yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before Him;
King James Version (1611)
Though a sinner doe euill an hundred times, and his dayes be prolonged; yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that feare God, which feare before him.
New Life Bible
Even though a sinner does sinful things a hundred times and lives a long time, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, and let others know they fear God.
New Revised Standard
Though sinners do evil a hundred times and prolong their lives, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they stand in fear before him,
Geneva Bible (1587)
Though a sinner doe euill an hundreth times, and God prolongeth his dayes, yet I knowe that it shalbe well with them that feare the Lord, and doe reuerence before him.
George Lamsa Translation
He who sins does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with the worshippers of the LORD, that they may fear before him;
Good News Translation
A sinner may commit a hundred crimes and still live. Oh yes, I know what they say: "If you obey God, everything will be all right,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Though a sinner be committing wickedness a hundred times, and continuing long in his own way, yet I surely know that it shall be well to them who revere God, who stand in awe before him;
Douay-Rheims Bible
But though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and by patience be borne withal, I know from thence that it shall be well with them that fear God, who dread his face.
Revised Standard Version
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Because an euyll person offendeth an hundred tymes, and God deferreth, geuing hym long life, therefore am I sure that it shall go well with them that feare God, whiche haue hym before their eyes.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
He that has sinned has done evil from that time, and long from beforehand: nevertheless I know, that it is well with them that fear God, that they may fear before him:
Christian Standard Bible®
Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before him.
Hebrew Names Version
Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.
King James Version
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
Lexham English Bible
Although the sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will be good for those who fear God—because they fear his presence.
Literal Translation
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times , and his days are prolonged to him, yet surely I know that it shall be well to those who fear God, who fear before Him.
Young's Literal Translation
Though a sinner is doing evil a hundred [times], and prolonging [himself] for it, surely also I know that there is good to those fearing God, who fear before Him.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But though an euell personne offende an hundreth tymes, and haue a longe life: yet am I sure, that it shal go well with the that feare God, because they haue him before their eyes.
THE MESSAGE
Even though a person sins and gets by with it hundreds of times throughout a long life, I'm still convinced that the good life is reserved for the person who fears God, who lives reverently in his presence, and that the evil person will not experience a "good" life. No matter how many days he lives, they'll all be as flat and colorless as a shadow—because he doesn't fear God.
New American Standard Bible
Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will go well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly.
New King James Version
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly.
Legacy Standard Bible
Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may prolong his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly.

Contextual Overview

9 I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other. 10 I have seen wicked people buried with honor. Yet they were the very ones who frequented the Temple and are now praised in the same city where they committed their crimes! This, too, is meaningless. 11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. 12 But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 13 The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a sinner: Ecclesiastes 5:16, Ecclesiastes 7:15, 1 Kings 2:5-9, 1 Kings 21:25, 1 Kings 22:34, 1 Kings 22:35, Proverbs 13:21, Isaiah 65:20, Romans 2:5, Romans 9:22, 2 Peter 2:9

surely: Ecclesiastes 7:18, Psalms 37:11, Psalms 37:18, Psalms 37:19, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 115:13, Proverbs 1:32, Proverbs 1:33, Isaiah 3:10, Isaiah 3:11, Isaiah 65:13, Isaiah 65:14, Isaiah 65:20-24, Matthew 25:34, Matthew 25:41-46, Luke 1:50

fear before: Ecclesiastes 3:14, 1 Chronicles 16:30, Psalms 96:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:7 - If thou doest well Genesis 18:25 - that the Genesis 22:12 - now Exodus 1:17 - feared God Exodus 1:20 - God Exodus 1:21 - made them Deuteronomy 6:3 - and observe Joshua 2:9 - I know Judges 20:34 - knew not 2 Kings 4:1 - thy servant did fear 2 Kings 9:24 - smote Job 24:12 - yet God Psalms 32:10 - Many Psalms 50:21 - I kept Psalms 73:17 - then Psalms 128:2 - and it shall Ecclesiastes 5:7 - but Ecclesiastes 9:2 - as is Ecclesiastes 11:8 - General Ecclesiastes 12:13 - Fear Isaiah 42:14 - long time Jeremiah 15:11 - Verily it Jeremiah 16:12 - evil Jeremiah 41:15 - escaped Jeremiah 44:10 - neither Matthew 10:28 - him Colossians 3:22 - fearing 1 Timothy 4:8 - having Revelation 11:18 - and them

Cross-References

Genesis 8:2
The underground waters stopped flowing, and the torrential rains from the sky were stopped.
Genesis 8:3
So the floodwaters gradually receded from the earth. After 150 days,
Genesis 8:5
Two and a half months later, as the waters continued to go down, other mountain peaks became visible.
Genesis 8:6
After another forty days, Noah opened the window he had made in the boat
Genesis 8:7
and released a raven. The bird flew back and forth until the floodwaters on the earth had dried up.
Genesis 8:8
He also released a dove to see if the water had receded and it could find dry ground.
Genesis 8:10
After waiting another seven days, Noah released the dove again.
Psalms 27:14
Wait patiently for the Lord . Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord .
Isaiah 8:17
I will wait for the Lord , who has turned away from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my hope in him.
Isaiah 25:9
In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord , in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!"

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Though a sinner do evil an hundred times,.... That is ever so many times, a certain number for an uncertain; though he lives in a continued course of sin, being resolved upon the above consideration to give himself a swing to his lusts. The Targum renders it a hundred years; though be should live so long in sin, yet at last should be accursed Isaiah 65:20. This and what follows are said to check the boldness and presumption of the sinner upon the patience of God; and to make the people of God easy under the delay of justice, and the prosperity of the wicked;

and his [days] be prolonged: or rather, "and he prolongs unto him" o; that is, God prolongs unto him, not days only, but the execution of the sentence against his evil works; or defers his wrath and punishment; so Jarchi,

"and the holy blessed God prolongs to him, and does not take vengeance on him;''

and to this purpose is the Targum,

"and from the Lord is given to him space to return;''

yet surely I know; from the word and promise, and from experience, having observed it in a multitude of instances, which have abundantly confirmed the truth;

that it shall be well with them that fear God; not with a servile but filial fear, with a holy, humble, fiducial, affectionate, and an obediential fear; not through any terrible apprehension of his majesty, his judgment, his wrath now and hereafter; but under a sense of his being and perfections, and especially his mercy, grace, and goodness: it is well with such persons in all things; with respect to things temporal they shall not want what is proper for them; and with respect to things spiritual they are interested in the love, grace, and mercy of God; have much made known to them; are remembered by him; the sun of righteousness rises upon them; the eye of God is on them, and his heart towards them, and his hand communicates every needful supply to them; and they are guarded, not only by his angels, but by himself; and it is well with them at all times; in times of public calamity they are either taken from it beforehand, or preserved in it; all afflictions are for their good; it goes well with them at death and judgment; and they will be happy both in the millennium state and in the ultimate glory, So the Targum,

"it shall be well in the world to come with them that fear the Lord;''

see Psalms 34:7; with this compare Isaiah 3:10; it is added,

which fear before him: whose fear is not hypocritical, but sincere and hearty; not in show only, but in reality; not the precepts of men, and as before them, but as the sight of God; having always a sense of omniscience and omnipresence before them; and especially this fear is exercised by them when they are his house, in the assembly of his saints, attending his word and ordinances: or "which fear at his presence"; which fills them with a holy awe, as wall as with joy and gladness. The Targum is,

"which fear before him, and do his will.''

o מאריך לו "et prolongans ei", Montanus; "et prolongat in Deus dies", Pagninus; so Mercerus, Junius Tremellius, supply it "et prorogat dei Deus poenam", Piscator; "et differt Deus iram suam propter illium", Vatablus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

His days be prolonged - i. e., in his wickedness Ecclesiastes 8:8.

“I” is emphatic, as if to mark the opposition to the “sons of men” Ecclesiastes 8:11.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ecclesiastes 8:12. Though a sinner do evil a hundred times — If God bear so long with a transgressor, waiting in his longsuffering for him to repent and turn to him, surely he will be peculiarly kind to them that fear him, and endeavour to walk uprightly before him.


 
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