Ecclesiastes 9:11

Translations

Modern

I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.

Traditional

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Literal

I returned and saw under the sun how the race is not to the swift, and the battle not to the strong, and bread not to the wise, and wealth not to the discerning, and favor not to the skillful. For time and chance will happen to them all.

Latin

Verti me ad aliud, et vidi sub sole nec velocium esse cursum, nec fortium bellum, nec sapientium panem, nec doctorum divitias, nec artificum gratiam; sed tempus casumque in omnibus.

Original

Hebrew

English

I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.

Notes

Ecclesiastes 9:11

chance: We cannot control the outcome (compare Ecclesiastes 7:13).

Ecclesiastes 8:16–9:12

From observing life, it seems death often lacks meaning. Why do some people die while others live longer? God's decision on this is unpredictable (Ecclesiastes 7:13–14).

Theme notes and profiles

Wealth and Poverty in the Wisdom Literature

Related verses

Jeremiah 9:23
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
Proverbs 21:30–31
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
Lamentations 3:37–38
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it?
Job 5:11–14
He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety.
Ecclesiastes 3:17
I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.”
Amos 2:14–16
Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life.
Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him.
Psalm 147:10–11
He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,
2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.
Ecclesiastes 2:14–15
The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.

Glossary

Book of Ecclesiastes

Topics

Being Lucky Chance Fairness God: Providence of, Mysterious and Misinterpreted Good Luck Luck Race: Foot Race: Figurative

Ecclesiastes 9:11

Translations?

Original?

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Related verses?

Glossary?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics