Parallel Verses
NET Bible
Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is.
New American Standard Bible
Whatever
King James Version
That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Holman Bible
Whatever exists was given its name long ago,
International Standard Version
Whatever exists has been named already; people know what it means to be human and a person cannot defeat one who is more powerful than he.
A Conservative Version
Whatever has been, the name of it was given long ago, and it is know what man is. Neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
American Standard Version
Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Amplified
Whatever exists has already been named [long ago], and it is known what [a frail being] man is; for he cannot dispute with Him who is mightier than he.
Bible in Basic English
That which is, has been named before, and of what man is there is knowledge. He has no power against one stronger than he.
Darby Translation
That which is hath already been named; and what man is, is known, and that he cannot contend with him that is mightier than he.
Julia Smith Translation
What was, its name was called already, and it was known that it is man: and he shall not be able to contend with the powerful above him.
King James 2000
Whatever has been is named already, and it is known that this is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Whatever is--it was already determined, {what will be--it has already been decided}. As for man, he cannot argue against what is more powerful than him.
Modern King James verseion
That which has been is named already, and it is known that he is man. And he is not able to contend with Him who is mightier than he.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
The thing that hath been is named already, and known - that it is man himself: neither may he go to law with him that is mightier than he.
New Heart English Bible
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
The Emphasized Bible
Whatsoever one may be, long ago, was he called by his name, and it is known that it is - Son of Earth, - he cannot, therefore, contend with one stronger than he.
Webster
That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
World English Bible
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
Youngs Literal Translation
What is that which hath been? already is its name called, and it is known that it is man, and he is not able to contend with him who is stronger than he.
Interlinear
Qara'
Yada`
Yakol
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 6:10
Verse Info
Context Readings
It Is Futile For Humans To Complain About God's Irresistible Will
9 It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile -- like chasing the wind. 10 Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is. 11 The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him?
Names
Cross References
Job 9:32
For he is not a human being like I am, that I might answer him, that we might come together in judgment.
Ecclesiastes 3:15
Whatever exists now has already been, and whatever will be has already been; for God will seek to do again what has occurred in the past.
Job 40:2
"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God give him an answer!"
Genesis 3:9
But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"
Genesis 3:17-19
But to Adam he said, "Because you obeyed your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,' cursed is the ground thanks to you; in painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
Job 9:3-4
If someone wishes to contend with him, he cannot answer him one time in a thousand.
Job 14:1-4
"Man, born of woman, lives but a few days, and they are full of trouble.
Job 33:13
Why do you contend against him, that he does not answer all a person's words?
Psalm 39:6
Surely people go through life as mere ghosts. Surely they accumulate worthless wealth without knowing who will eventually haul it away."
Psalm 82:6-7
I thought, 'You are gods; all of you are sons of the Most High.'
Psalm 103:15
A person's life is like grass. Like a flower in the field it flourishes,
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
What exists now is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing truly new on earth.
Isaiah 45:9-10
One who argues with his creator is in grave danger, one who is like a mere shard among the other shards on the ground! The clay should not say to the potter, "What in the world are you doing? Your work lacks skill!"
Jeremiah 49:19
"A lion coming up from the thick undergrowth along the Jordan scatters the sheep in the pastureland around it. So too I will chase the Edomites off their land. Then I will appoint over it whomever I choose. For there is no one like me, and there is no one who can call me to account. There is no ruler who can stand up against me.
Romans 9:19-20
You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?"