Ecclesiastes 3:13
 Ecclesiastes 3:13 
New International Version (©2011)
That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil--this is the gift of God.

New Living Translation (©2007)
And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

English Standard Version (©2001)
also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor-- it is the gift of God.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts.

International Standard Version (©2012)
moreover, every person should eat, drink, and enjoy the benefits of everything that he undertakes, since it is a gift from God.

NET Bible (©2006)
and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
It is a gift from God to be able to eat and drink and experience the good that comes from every kind of hard work.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

American King James Version
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

American Standard Version
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For every man that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his labour, this is the gift of God.

Darby Bible Translation
yea also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, it is the gift of God.

English Revised Version
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, is the gift of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

World English Bible
Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

Young's Literal Translation
yea, even every man who eateth and hath drunk and seen good by all his labour, it is a gift of God.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:11-15 Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good in this life, which is short and uncertain; we have but little time to be doing good, therefore we should redeem time. Satisfaction with Divine Providence, is having faith that all things work together for good to them that love him. God doeth all, that men should fear before him. The world, as it has been, is, and will be. There has no change befallen us, nor has any temptation by it taken us, but such as is common to men.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 13. - And also that every man should eat and drink... it is the gift of God. This enforces and intensifies the statement in the preceding verse; not only the power to "do good," but even to enjoy what comes in his way (see on Ecclesiastes 2:24), man must receive from God. When we pray for our daily bread, we also ask for ability to take, assimilate, and profit by the supports and comforts afforded to us. "It" is better omitted, as "is the gift of God" forms the predicate of the sentence. Ecclesiastes 11:17, "The gift of the Lord remaineth with the godly, and his favor bringeth prosperity for ever."


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And also that every man should eat and drink,.... Not to excess, but in moderation; and yet freely, plentifully, and cheerfully; and not alone, but giving the poor a portion with him; and in all having in view the glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31;

and enjoy the good of all his labour; take the comfort of what he has been labouring for, and not lay it up for, and leave it to, he knows not who: the Targum is,

"and see good in his days, and cause his children, at the time of his death, to inherit all his labour;''

it is the gift of God; not only to have, but to enjoy, and make a proper use of the mercies of life. This is the same doctrine which is delivered Ecclesiastes 2:24.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. Literally, "And also as to every man who eats … this is the gift of God" (Ec 3:22; 5:18). When received as God's gifts, and to God's glory, the good things of life are enjoyed in their due time and order (Ac 2:46; 1Co 10:31; 1Ti 4:3, 4).


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The Excellence in God's Works
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God. 14I know that, whatever God does, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before him.

Deuteronomy 12:7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
Deuteronomy 26:11 Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.
Psalm 34:12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
Ecclesiastes 2:3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
Ecclesiastes 5:19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil--this is a gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.