Parallel Verses

Bible in Basic English

So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work--because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?

New American Standard Bible

I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?

King James Version

Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Holman Bible

I have seen that there is nothing better than for a person to enjoy his activities because that is his reward. For who can enable him to see what will happen after he dies?

International Standard Version

I concluded that it is worthwhile for people to find joy in their accomplishments, because that is their inheritance, since who can see what will exist after them?

A Conservative Version

Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion. For who shall bring him [back] to see what shall be after him?

American Standard Version

Wherefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him back to see what shall be after him?

Amplified

So I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should be happy in his own works and activities, for that is his portion (share). For who will bring him [back] to see what will happen after he is gone?

Darby Translation

And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Julia Smith Translation

And I saw that no good more than that man shall rejoice in his works; for this is his portion: for who shall bring him to look upon what shall be after him?

King James 2000

Therefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his lot: for who can bring him to see what shall be after him?

Lexham Expanded Bible

So I concluded that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy [the fruit of] his labor, for this is his lot in life. {For no one knows what will happen in the future.}

Modern King James verseion

Therefore I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what shall be after him?

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

Wherefore I perceive, that there is nothing better for a man, than to be joyful in his labour, for that is his portion. But who will bring him to see the thing that shall come after him?

NET Bible

So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?

New Heart English Bible

Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

The Emphasized Bible

So I saw, that there was nothing better than that a man should be glad in his works, for, that, is his portion, - for who can bring him in, to look upon that which shall be after him?

Webster

Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

World English Bible

Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

Youngs Literal Translation

And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man rejoice in his works, for it is his portion; for who doth bring him in to look on that which is after him?

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
אדם 
'adam 
Usage: 541

שׂמח 
Samach 
Usage: 155

מעשׂה 
Ma`aseh 
Usage: 234

חלק 
Cheleq 
Usage: 67


come, bring, ... in, enter, go, carry, ...down, pass, ...out,
Usage: 0

him to see
ראה 
Ra'ah 
Usage: 1308

אחר 
'achar 
Usage: 488

References

Context Readings

God's Mysterious Plan Allows Injustice To Exist In The World

21 Who is certain that the spirit of the sons of men goes up to heaven, or that the spirit of the beasts goes down to the earth? 22 So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work--because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:24

There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work. This again I saw was from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 6:12

Who is able to say what is good for man in life all the days of his foolish life which he goes through like a shade? who will say what is to be after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 8:7

No one is certain what is to be, and who is able to say to him when it will be?

Ecclesiastes 10:14

The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him?

Ecclesiastes 3:11-12

He has made everything right in its time; but he has made their hearts without knowledge, so that man is unable to see the works of God, from the first to the last.

Deuteronomy 12:7

There you and all your families are to make a feast before the Lord your God, with joy in everything to which you put your hand, because the Lord has given you his blessing.

Deuteronomy 12:18

But they will be your food before the Lord your God in the place of his selection, where you may make a feast of them, with your son and your daughter, and your man-servant and your woman-servant, and the Levite who is living with you: and you will have joy before the Lord your God in everything to which you put your hand.

Deuteronomy 26:10-11

So now, I have come here with the first of the fruits of the earth which you, O Lord, have given me. Then you will put it down before the Lord your God and give him worship:

Deuteronomy 28:47

Because you did not give honour to the Lord your God, worshipping him gladly, with joy in your hearts on account of all your wealth of good things;

Job 14:21

His sons come to honour, and he has no knowledge of it; they are made low, but he is not conscious of it.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

And nothing which was desired by my eyes did I keep from them; I did not keep any joy from my heart, because my heart took pleasure in all my work, and this was my reward.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

This is what I have seen: it is good and fair for a man to take meat and drink and to have joy in all his work under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; that is his reward.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

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.

Ecclesiastes 9:7-9

Come, take your bread with joy, and your wine with a glad heart. God has taken pleasure in your works.

Ecclesiastes 9:12

Even man has no knowledge of his time; like fishes taken in an evil net, or like birds taken by deceit, are the sons of men taken in an evil time when it comes suddenly on them.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.

Daniel 12:9-10

And he said, Go on your way, Daniel: for the words are secret and shut up till the time of the end;

Daniel 12:13

But you, go on your way and take your rest: for you will be in your place at the end of the days.

Matthew 6:34

Then have no care for tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Take the trouble of the day as it comes.

Romans 12:11-12

Be not slow in your work, but be quick in spirit, as the Lord's servants;

Philippians 4:4-5

Be glad in the Lord at all times: again I say, Be glad.

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New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

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Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain