Ecclesiastes 11:8 “So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him…”

Ecclesiastes 11:8

So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

World English Bible

Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity.

American Standard Version

Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

Geneva Bible 1599

Though a man liue many yeeres, and in them all he reioyce, yet hee shall remember the daies of darkenesse, because they are manie, all that commeth is vanitie.

Darby Translation

but if a man live many years, [and] rejoice in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many: all that cometh is vanity.

Young's Literal Translation

But, if man liveth many years, In all of them let him rejoice, And remember the days of darkness, For they are many! all that is coming [is] vanity.

Bible in Basic English

But even if a man's life is long and he has joy in all his years, let him keep in mind the dark days, because they will be great in number. Whatever may come is to no purpose.

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Cross references

“if a man”

Ecclesiastes 8:12 Ecclesiastes 6:6

Ecclesiastes 8:12 · BSB

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence.

Ecclesiastes 6:6 · BSB

even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

“rejoice”

Ecclesiastes 8:15 Ecclesiastes 5:18–20 Ecclesiastes 3:12 Ecclesiastes 3:13

Ecclesiastes 8:15 · BSB

So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives hi…

Ecclesiastes 5:18–20 · BSB

Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 · BSB

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live,

Ecclesiastes 3:13 · BSB

and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.

“yet”

John 12:35 Deuteronomy 32:29 Ecclesiastes 7:14 Joel 2:2 Ecclesiastes 12:1–5 Job 14:10

John 12:35 · BSB

Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

Deuteronomy 32:29 · BSB

If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 · BSB

In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.

Joel 2:2 · BSB

a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come.

Ecclesiastes 12:1–5 · BSB

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”

Job 14:10 · BSB

But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?

“All that”

Ecclesiastes 6:11 Ecclesiastes 2:1–11 Ecclesiastes 2:15 Ecclesiastes 2:17 Ecclesiastes 2:19 Ecclesiastes 2:21–23

Ecclesiastes 6:11 · BSB

For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?

Ecclesiastes 2:1–11 · BSB

I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!” But it proved to be futile.

Ecclesiastes 2:15 · BSB

So I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?” And I said to myself that this too is futile.

Ecclesiastes 2:17 · BSB

So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:19 · BSB

And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile.

Ecclesiastes 2:21–23 · BSB

When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great evil.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

7Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

9Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

Read Ecclesiastes 11