Ecclesiastes 8:14

New English Translation

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.”

Cross References

Job 1:22

In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety.

Job 21:7

“Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, even increase in power?

Job 27:12

If you yourselves have all seen this, Why in the world do you continue this meaningless talk?

Psalm 73:3

For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked.

Ecclesiastes 10:5

I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

Ecclesiastes 2:14

The wise man can see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that the same fate happens to them both.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless – like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is futile and a burdensome task!

Ecclesiastes 7:15

During the days of my fleeting life I have seen both of these things: Sometimes a righteous person dies prematurely in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked person lives long in spite of his evil deeds.

Jeremiah 12:1

Lord, you have always been fair whenever I have complained to you. However, I would like to speak with you about the disposition of justice. Why are wicked people successful? Why do all dishonest people have such easy lives?

Malachi 3:15

So now we consider the arrogant to be happy; indeed, those who practice evil are successful. In fact, those who challenge God escape!’”