Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
The only worthwhile thing for a human being is to eat, drink, and enjoy life's goodness that he finds in what he accomplishes. This, I observed, is also from the hand of God himself,
New American Standard Bible
There is
King James Version
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Holman Bible
There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and enjoy
A Conservative Version
There is nothing better for a man [than] that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
American Standard Version
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
Amplified
There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and assure himself that there is good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God.
Bible in Basic English
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.
Darby Translation
There is nothing good for man, but that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Julia Smith Translation
Not good in man he shall eat and drink and cause his soul to see good in his labor. Also this I saw that it is from the hand of God.
King James 2000
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Lexham Expanded Bible
There is nothing better for a person than to eat and drink and {find delight} in his toil. For I also realized that this [is] from the hand of God!
Modern King James verseion
Is it not good that he should eat and drink and make his soul see good in his labor? This I also saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Is it not better then for a man to eat and drink, and his soul to be merry in his labour? Yea I saw that this also was a gift of God:
NET Bible
There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.
New Heart English Bible
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
The Emphasized Bible
There was nothing more blessed for Man than that he should eat and drink, and see his desireth for blessedness in his toil, - even this, saw, I myself, that, from the hand of God, it was.
Webster
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
World English Bible
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
Youngs Literal Translation
There is nothing good in a man who eateth, and hath drunk, and hath shewn his soul good in his labour. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.
Themes
Epicureans » Worldly pleasure sought by the epicureans as the chief aim of life
Happiness/joy » Who God gives joy to
Knowledge » Who God gives knowledge to
Wisdom » The lord giving wisdom
Topics
Interlinear
Towb
Nephesh
Ra'ah
Towb
`amal
References
Fausets
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:24
Prayers for Ecclesiastes 2:24
Verse Info
Context Readings
Is There Real Happiness In Life?
23 Indeed, all of his days are filled with sorrow, and his struggles bring grief. In fact, his mind remains restless throughout the night. This is pointless, too! 24 The only worthwhile thing for a human being is to eat, drink, and enjoy life's goodness that he finds in what he accomplishes. This, I observed, is also from the hand of God himself, 25 for who can eat or enjoy life apart from him?
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:22
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?
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life;
Ecclesiastes 8:15
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19
Look! I observed that it is good and prudent to eat, drink, and enjoy all that is good of a person's work that he does on earth during the limited days of his life, which God gives him, for this is his allotment.
1 Timothy 6:17
Tell those who are rich in this age not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Ecclesiastes 9:7-9
Go ahead and enjoy your meals as you eat. Drink your wine with a joyful attitude, because God already has approved your actions.
1 Corinthians 15:32
If I have fought with wild animals in Ephesus from merely human motives, what do I get out of it? If the dead are not raised, "Let's eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
Deuteronomy 12:12
"Rejoice in the presence of the LORD your God you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the descendant of Levi who is in your city for there is no territorial allotment for him as you have.
Deuteronomy 12:18
You'll eat only in the presence of the LORD your God at the place that he will choose you, your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the descendant of Levi who is in your cities. Rejoice in the presence of the LORD your God in everything you undertake.
Nehemiah 8:10
He also told them, "Go eat the best food, drink the best wine, and give something to those who have nothing, since this day is holy to our Lord. Don't be sorrowful, because the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Ecclesiastes 6:2
a man to whom God gives wealth, riches, and honor, so that he lacks none of his heart's desires but God does not give him the capability to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger consumes them. This is pointless and a grievous affliction.
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
So enjoy yourself in your youth, young man, and be encouraged during your younger days. Live as you like, consistent with your world view, but keep in mind that God will bring you to account for everything.
Malachi 2:2
"If you don't listen, and if you don't choose to give honor to my name," says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, "then I'll curse both you and your blessings. I've even cursed them already, because none of you are taking it to heart.
Luke 12:19-20
Then I'll say to myself, "You've stored up plenty of good things for many years. Take it easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself."'
Acts 14:17
yet he has not abandoned his witness: he continues to do good, to give you rain from heaven, to give you fruitful seasons, and to fill you with food and your hearts with joy."