Parallel Verses
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.
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,
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).
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.
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 things will not go well for the wicked person: he will not lengthen his life like a shadow, since he has no fear before God. 14 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. 15 So then I recommended enjoyment of life, because it is better on earth for a man to eat, drink, and be happy, since this will stay with him throughout his struggle all the days of his life, which God grants him on earth.
Names
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:15
I have seen it all during my pointless life: both a righteous person who dies while he is righteous, and a wicked person who lives to an old age, while remaining wicked.
Malachi 3:15
and, "Now we call the arrogant one blessed. Those who do evil prosper and those who challenge God escape the consequences.'"
Job 21:7
"Why do the wicked live to reach old age and increase in power and wealth, too?
Ecclesiastes 2:14
The wise use their eyes, but the fool walks in darkness. I also perceived that the same outcome affects them all.
Job 9:22-24
I say it's all the same he destroys both the blameless and the guilty.
Job 21:17-34
"How often do the wicked have their lights put out? Does calamity ever fall on them? Will God in his anger ever apportion their destruction?
Job 24:21-25
"They prey on the barren woman, and do no favors for widows.
Psalm 73:3
For I was envious of the proud when I observed the prosperity of the wicked.
Psalm 73:12-14
Just look at these wicked people! They're perpetually carefree as they increase their wealth.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
Consider someone who is alone, having neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his work, and he is never satisfied with wealth. "So for whom do I work," he asks, "and deprive myself of pleasure?" This, too, is pointless and a terrible tragedy.
Ecclesiastes 9:1-3
In light of all of this, I committed myself to explain it this way: the righteous and the wise, along with everything they do, are in the hands of God. Furthermore, as to love and hate, no human being knows everything concerning them.
Ecclesiastes 10:5
Here's another tragedy that I've observed on earth, a kind of error that comes from an overseer:
Jeremiah 12:1
You are righteous, LORD, even when I bring a complaint to you. But I want to discuss justice with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper, while all who are treacherous are at ease?