Chapter 3
1 For everything there is a season , and a time for every purpose under heaven :
2 a time to be born , and a time to die ; a time to plant , and a time to pluck up that which is planted ;
3 a time to kill , and a time to heal ; a time to break down , and a time to build up ;
4 a time to weep , and a time to laugh ; a time to mourn , and a time to dance ;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together ; a time to embrace , and a time to refrain from embracing ;
6 a time to seek , and a time to lose; a time to keep , and a time to cast away ;
7 a time to tear , and a time to sew ; a time to keep silence , and a time to speak ;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate ; a time for war , and a time for peace .
9 What profit has he who works in that in which he labors ?
10 I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with .
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time . He has also set eternity in their hearts , yet so that man can ’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end .
12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice , and to do good as long as they live .
13 Also that every man should eat and drink , and enjoy good in all his labor , is the gift of God.
14 I know that whatever God does , it shall be forever . Nothing can be added to it , nor anything taken from it ; and God has done it , that men should fear before him .
15 That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago. God seeks again that which is passed away.
16 Moreover I saw under the sun , in the place of justice , that wickedness was there ; and in the place of righteousness , that wickedness was there .
17 I said in my heart , "God will judge the righteous and the wicked ; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work ."
18 I said in my heart , " As for the sons of men , God tests them , so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.
19 For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them . As the one dies , so the other dies . Yes , they have all one breath ; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity .
20 All go to one place . All are from the dust , and all turn to dust again .
21 Who knows the spirit of man , whether it goes upward , and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth ?"
22 Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works , for that is his portion ; for who can bring him to see what will be after him ?