Parallel Verses
Bible in Basic English
There is a thing which is to no purpose done on the earth: that there are good men to whom is given the same punishment as those who are evil, and there are evil men who get the reward of the good. I say that this again is to no purpose.
New American Standard Bible
There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are
King James Version
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
Holman Bible
There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve,
International Standard Version
Here is a pointless thing that happens on earth: A righteous man receives what happens to the wicked, and a wicked man receives what happens to the righteous. I concluded that this, too, is pointless.
A Conservative Version
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked, again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that
American Standard Version
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.
Amplified
There is a meaningless and futile thing which is done on the earth: that is, there are righteous men whose gain is as though they were evil, and evil men whose gain is as though they were righteous. I say that this too is futility (meaningless, vain).
Darby Translation
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; and there are wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
Julia Smith Translation
There is vanity which was done upon the earth; that there is the just which it comes upon them according to the work of the unjust: and there is the unjust, it comes upon them according to the work of the just. I said, Also this is vanity.
King James 2000
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there are just men, unto whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men, to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
Lexham Expanded Bible
There [is] a vanity that happens on earth: sometimes the righteous suffer what the wicked deserve, and sometimes the wicked receive what the righteous deserve. I said, "This also [is] vanity!"
Modern King James verseion
There is a vanity which is done on the earth: There are just ones to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked ones to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Yet is there a vanity upon earth: there be just men, unto whom it happeneth, as though they had the works of the ungodly; Again, there be ungodly, with whom it goeth as though they had the works of the righteous. This me think also a vain thing.
NET Bible
Here is another enigma that occurs on earth: Sometimes there are righteous people who get what the wicked deserve, and sometimes there are wicked people who get what the righteous deserve. I said, "This also is an enigma."
New Heart English Bible
There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
The Emphasized Bible
Here was a vain thing which was done upon the earth - that there were righteous men unto whom it happened according to the work of the lawless, and there were lawless men, unto whom it happened according to the work of the righteous, - I said, that, even this, was vanity.
Webster
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there are just men, to 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.
World English Bible
There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
Youngs Literal Translation
There is a vanity that hath been done upon the earth, that there are righteous ones unto whom it is coming according to the work of the wicked, and there are wicked ones unto whom it is coming according to the work of the righteous. I have said that this also is vanity.
Topics
Interlinear
'erets
Naga`
Ma`aseh
מעשׂה
Ma`aseh
work, needlework , acts, labour, doing, art, deed,
Usage: 234
References
Fausets
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 8:14
Verse Info
Context Readings
Although Evil Is Not Punished Swiftly, God Does Eventually Punish Sinners
13 But it will not be well for the evil-doer; he will not make his days long like a shade, because he has no fear before God. 14 There is a thing which is to no purpose done on the earth: that there are good men to whom is given the same punishment as those who are evil, and there are evil men who get the reward of the good. I say that this again is to no purpose. 15 So I gave praise to joy, because there is nothing better for a man to do under the sun than to take meat and drink and be happy; for that will be with him in his work all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.
Names
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:15
These two have I seen in my life which is to no purpose: a good man coming to his end in his righteousness, and an evil man whose days are long in his evil-doing.
Malachi 3:15
And now to us the men of pride seem happy; yes, the evil-doers are doing well; they put God to the test and are safe.
Job 21:7
Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
Ecclesiastes 2:14
The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the foolish man goes walking in the dark; but still I saw that the same event comes to them all.
Job 9:22-24
It is all the same to me; so I say, He puts an end to the sinner and to him who has done no wrong together.
Job 21:17-34
How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords?
Job 24:21-25
He is not kind to the widow, and he has no pity for her child.
Psalm 73:3
Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.
Psalm 73:12-14
Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
And I saw that the cause of all the work and of everything which is done well was man's envy of his neighbour. This again is to no purpose and a desire for wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
It is one who is by himself, without a second, and without son or brother; but there is no end to all his work, and he has never enough of wealth. For whom, then, am I working and keeping myself from pleasure? This again is to no purpose, and a bitter work.
Ecclesiastes 9:1-3
All this I took to heart, and my heart saw it all: that the upright and the wise and their works are in the hand of God; and men may not be certain if it will be love or hate; all is to no purpose before them.
Ecclesiastes 10:5
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which comes by chance from a ruler:
Jeremiah 12:1
You are in the right, O Lord, when I put my cause before you: still let me take up with you the question of your decisions: why does the evil-doer do well? why are the workers of deceit living in comfort?