the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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New Living Translation
Ecclesiastes 9:10
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Whatever your hand finds to do, do [it] with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you go.
Whatever work you do, do your best, because you are going to the grave, where there is no working, no planning, no knowledge, and no wisdom.
Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go.
Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Worche thou bisili, what euer thing thin hond mai do; for nether werk, nether resoun, nethir kunnyng, nether wisdom schulen be at hellis, whidir thou haastist.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
Work hard at whatever you do. You will soon go to the world of the dead, where no one works or thinks or reasons or knows anything.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
Whatever comes to your hand to do with all your power, do it because there is no work, or thought, or knowledge, or wisdom in the place of the dead to which you are going.
Whatever task comes your way to do, do it with all your strength; because in Sh'ol, where you will go, there is neither working nor planning, neither knowledge nor wisdom.
Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
Every time you find work to do, do it the best you can. In the grave there is no work. There is no thinking, no knowledge, and there is no wisdom. And we are all going to the place of death.
Whatsoever thy hand attaineth to do by thy strength, that do; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Whatsoeuer thy hand findeth to doe, doe it with thy might: for there is no worke, nor deuice, nor knowledge, nor wisedome in the graue, whither thou goest.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your strength. For there is no work or planning or learning or wisdom in the place of the dead where you are going.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
All that thine hand shall finde to doe, doe it with all thy power: for there is neither worke nor inuention, nor knowledge, nor wisedome in the graue whither thou goest.
Whatsoever your hand is able to do, do it with your might; for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol whither you are going.
Work hard at whatever you do, because there will be no action, no thought, no knowledge, no wisdom in the world of the dead—and that is where you are going.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, with thy might, do, - for there is no work nor calculation nor knowledge nor wisdom, in hades, whither, thou, art going.
Whatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly: for neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge shall be in hell, whither thou art hastening.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Whatsoeuer thou takest in hande to do, that do with al thy power: for in the graue that thou goest vnto, there is neither worke, counsayle, knowledge, nor wysdome.
Whatsoever thine hand shall find to do, do with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Hades wither thou goest.
Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in She'ol, where you are going.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Whatever your hand finds to do—do it with all your might; for in Sheol—where you are going—no one works, plans, knows, or thinks about anything.
All that your hand finds to do, do it with your strength. For there is no work, or planning, or knowledge, or wisdom, in Sheol, there where you go.
All that thy hand findeth to do, with thy power do, for there is no work, and device, and knowledge, and wisdom in Sheol whither thou art going.
What so euer thou takest in hande to do, that do with all thy power: for amoge the deed (where as thou goest vnto) there is nether worke, councell, knowlege ner wy?dome.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no working or explaining or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
thy hand: Numbers 13:30, 1 Chronicles 22:19, 1 Chronicles 28:20, 1 Chronicles 29:2, 1 Chronicles 29:3, 2 Chronicles 31:20, 2 Chronicles 31:21, Ezra 6:14, Ezra 6:15, Nehemiah 2:12-20, Nehemiah 3:1-16, Nehemiah 4:2, Nehemiah 4:6, Nehemiah 4:9-13, Nehemiah 4:17-23, Nehemiah 13:8-31, Psalms 71:15-18, Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 6:33, John 4:34, Romans 12:11, Romans 15:18-20, 1 Corinthians 9:24, 1 Corinthians 9:26, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Corinthians 16:10, Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 3:23, 2 Peter 1:12-15
for: Ecclesiastes 9:5, Ecclesiastes 9:6, Ecclesiastes 11:3, Job 14:7-12, Psalms 6:5, Psalms 88:10-12, Isaiah 38:18, Isaiah 38:19, John 9:4, Acts 20:25-31
Reciprocal: Genesis 17:23 - circumcised Genesis 21:14 - rose up Genesis 22:3 - General Genesis 24:33 - General Genesis 27:2 - I know not Genesis 28:18 - rose up Exodus 16:21 - General Leviticus 8:32 - General Joshua 4:10 - hasted Joshua 7:16 - rose up Joshua 10:9 - all night Joshua 18:3 - How long are Joshua 23:14 - I am going Judges 7:1 - rose up Judges 9:33 - as thou shalt find Judges 20:8 - We will not Ruth 2:7 - continued 2 Samuel 6:14 - with all his 2 Kings 9:20 - for he driveth 1 Chronicles 22:5 - David prepared 2 Chronicles 29:3 - He in the first Ezra 6:12 - speed Ezra 10:4 - Arise Nehemiah 3:20 - earnestly Nehemiah 6:3 - I am doing Esther 6:4 - Who is in the court Esther 8:14 - being hastened Job 1:5 - rose up Job 3:13 - then had I been at rest Job 17:11 - purposes Psalms 30:9 - What Psalms 90:12 - So Psalms 119:60 - made Psalms 132:3 - I will not Proverbs 3:28 - General Proverbs 6:4 - General Proverbs 22:29 - a man Proverbs 31:15 - riseth Ecclesiastes 3:20 - go Ecclesiastes 10:2 - wise Ecclesiastes 11:6 - sow Ecclesiastes 12:5 - because Song of Solomon 7:12 - get Daniel 2:25 - brought Haggai 1:2 - This Matthew 20:6 - the eleventh Matthew 20:7 - Go Luke 2:16 - with Luke 9:61 - but Luke 19:5 - Zacchaeus John 5:4 - first John 8:2 - early John 17:15 - take Acts 8:30 - ran thither Acts 9:39 - while Acts 10:8 - he sent Acts 10:23 - on Romans 12:8 - with diligence Romans 13:11 - for now 1 Corinthians 7:29 - the time Galatians 6:10 - opportunity Hebrews 3:7 - To day Hebrews 9:27 - as
Cross-References
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede.
Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth.
"And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person's life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die.
If anyone takes a human life, that person's life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.
and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.
When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth."
The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?"
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,.... Not anything that is evil, which is near at hand, and easy to be found, and is in the power of men's hands to do, Romans 7:21; for this is forbidden of God, abominable to him, and hurtful to men; but whatsoever is good; so the Targum,
"to do good and alms to the poor;''
even all good works in general, which God requires of men, and it is their duty to do; though they are not meritorious of anything at his hands, nor is there justification or salvation by them; yet should be done in obedience to the will of God, in gratitude to him for mercies received, and for his glory; as also for the profit of men, and for our own good; for the evidence of grace, and to preserve our characters from the insults and reproaches of men. Whatever is found written in the book of God should be done; not what is of a ceremonial kind, and now abolished, but everything of a moral nature, and of positive institution, under Gospel times; as all Gospel ordinances, and whatever falls within a man's calling: for every man has a work to do; in every station, as magistrates and subjects; in every relation, as husband and wife, parents and children, masters and servants; in every business of life men are called to; which they should attend, for the good of themselves and families, the relief of the poor, and the support of the interest of religion: and in religious things everyone has his work to do; the minister, in preaching and administering ordinances; the deacon, in taking care of the poor; private Christians, in praying in their closets and families, in hearing the word, making a profession of religion, and attending on ordinances; and, as opportunity serves, should do good to all men, especially to the saints, Galatians 6:10; and whatsoever is in the power of their hands, as this phrase signifies,
Leviticus 12:8. Aben Ezra refers it to the delights and pleasures of life, such as before mentioned; which may be allowed, when used in a lawful and moderate manner;
do [it] with thy might; or "strength"; for though men have no might or strength of their own to do good, which is lost by sin; yea, even good men, of themselves, and without Christ, his spirit and grace, can do nothing spiritually good; yet there is strength in him, and to be had from him; and who should be applied to for it, and who gives it,
Isaiah 40:29; the phrase denotes intenseness of spirit, vigour of mind, activity and fervency; doing that which is good, cheerfully and diligently, and not in a negligent careless manner; see Deuteronomy 6:5;
for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest; this, and not then, is our working time; good men at death cease from their labours in the grave, as the night in which no man can "work", Revelation 14:13; then the liberal man can no more "devise" liberal ways and means of doing good; his purposes of doing good are broken off; and no more plans can be laid, or designs formed, for the glory of God and the good of fellow creatures: and no more "knowledge" of objects to do good unto; nor any improvement in any kind of knowledge, natural or spiritual: nor "wisdom" and prudence in the management of affairs, to answer some good ends and purposes; nor opportunity of attaining that wisdom by the Scriptures, and by the ministry of the word, which make men wise unto salvation: and now, since every man is going to the grave, his long home, the place appointed for all living, and this, is the way of all flesh; and every step he has taken, and does take, is a step to the grave; therefore it is incumbent on him to do all the good he can in life.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Read these six verses connectedly, in order to arrive at the meaning of the writer; and compare Ecclesiastes 2:1-12.
After the description Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 of the portionless condition of the dead, the next thought which occurs is that the man who is prosperous and active should simply enjoy his portion all through this life Ecclesiastes 9:7-10; and then Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 follows the correcting thought (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 note), introduced as usual Ecclesiastes 2:12; Ecclesiastes 4:1, Ecclesiastes 4:7 by “I returned,” namely, that the course of events is disposed and regulated by another will than that of man.
The person addressed is one whose life of labor is already pleasing to God, and who bears visible tokens of God’s favor.
Ecclesiastes 9:7
Now accepteth - Rather: “already has pleasure in.” Joy (the marginal reference note) is regarded as a sign of the approbation and favor of God.
Ecclesiastes 9:8
White garments and perfume are simply an expressive sign of joy.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
The works which we carry on here with the combined energies of body and soul come to an end in the hour of death, when the soul enters a new sphere of existence, and body and soul cease to act together. Compare John 9:4.
Device - See Ecclesiastes 7:25 note.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
Chance - Or, “incident,” that which comes to us from without, one of the external events described in Ecclesiastes 3:0. Compare Ecclesiastes 2:14 note.
Ecclesiastes 9:12
Time - See Ecclesiastes 3:1 ff.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Ecclesiastes 9:10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do — Examine here the WHAT the HOW, and the WHY.
I. What is necessary to be done in this life, in reference to another?
1. Turn from sin.
2. Repent.
3. Frequent the ordinances of God, and associate with the upright.
4. Read the Scriptures.
5. Pray for pardon.
6. Believe on the Lord Jesus, that thou mayest obtain it.
7. Look for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
8. Bring forth in their seasons the fruits of it -
(1) Repentance,
(2) Faith; and
(3) The Holy Spirit.
9. Live to get good.
10. And to do good.
11. And refer every purpose and act to the eternal world.
II. How should these be done? With thy might.
1. Be fully convinced of the necessity of these things.
2. Be determined to act according to this conviction.
3. Then act with all thy strength; put forth all thy power in avoiding evil, repenting of sin, c., c.
III. Why should this be done?
1. Because thou art a dying man.
2. Thou art going into the grave.
3. When thou leavest this life, thy state of probation, with all its advantages, is eternally ended.
4. If thou die in sin, where God is thou shalt never come.
For,
1. There is no work by which thou mayest profit
2. No device by which thou mayest escape punishment
3. No knowledge of any means of help; and,
4. No wisdom - restoration of the soul to the favour and image of God, in that grave whither thou goest. Therefore, work while it is called to-day.
My old MS. Bible translates this nervously: Whatever thinge may thin hond don, besily wirch: for nouther werc, ne resoun, ne wisdom, ne keennyng schuln be a nentis hell, whither thou gost. Properly speaking, every sinner is going to hell, and the wisdom of God calls upon him to turn and live.
