Ecclesiastes 9:2

New Living Translation

The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t.

Cross References

Genesis 24:3

Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women.

Job 9:22

Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’

Psalm 73:3

For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 3:19

For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless!

Ecclesiastes 6:6

He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment. And since he must die like everyone else—well, what’s the use?

Ecclesiastes 7:18

Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.

Ecclesiastes 7:2

Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart.

Ecclesiastes 9:11

I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.

Ecclesiastes 9:3

It seems so wrong that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate. Already twisted by evil, people choose their own mad course, for they have no hope. There is nothing ahead but death anyway.

Jeremiah 43:6

In the crowd were men, women, and children, the king’s daughters, and all those whom Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had left with Gedaliah. The prophet Jeremiah and Baruch were also included.

Malachi 3:15

From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”

Malachi 3:18

Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

Malachi 3:5

“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

1 Samuel 14:26

They didn’t dare touch the honey because they all feared the oath they had taken.