Ecclesiastes 7:14 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.

Bible > Ecclesiastes > Chapter 7 > Verse 14

◄ Ecclesiastes 7:14 ►

New International Version
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.

New Living Translation
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

English Standard Version
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

New King James Version
In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.

New American Standard Bible
On the day of prosperity be happy, But on the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other So that a person will not discover anything that will come after him.

NASB 1995
In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider— God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

NASB 1977
In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider— God has made the one as well as the other So that man may not discover anything that will be after him.

Legacy Standard Bible
In the day when there is good be of good cheer, But in the day when there is evil see— God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not find out anything that will be after him.

Amplified Bible
In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider that God has made the one as well as the other, So that man will not find out anything that will be after him.

Christian Standard Bible
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that no one can discover anything that will come after him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man cannot discover anything that will come after him.

American Standard Version
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything that shall be after him.

Contemporary English Version
When times are good, you should be cheerful; when times are bad, think about what it means. God makes them both to keep us from knowing what will happen next.

English Revised Version
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath even made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out any thing that shall be after him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one time as well as the other so that mortals cannot predict their future.

Good News Translation
When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next.

International Standard Version
When times are good, be joyful; when times are bad, consider this: God made the one as well as the other, so people won't seek anything outside of his best.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
In times of prosperity be joyful, but in times of adversity consider this: God has made one as well as the other, so that no one can discover what the future holds.

New Heart English Bible
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

Webster's Bible Translation
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

World English Bible
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
In a day of prosperity be in gladness, "" And in a day of calamity consider: God has also made this alongside of that, "" To the intent that man does not find anything after him.

Young's Literal Translation
In a day of prosperity be in gladness, And in a day of evil consider. Also this over-against that hath God made, To the intent that man doth not find anything after him.

Smith's Literal Translation
In the day of good, be in good; and in the day of evil, see thou: also God made this over against this, to the end that man shall not find anything after him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
In the good day enjoy good things, and beware beforehand of the evil day: for God hath made both the one and the other, that man may not find against him any just complaint.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In good times, enjoy good things, but beware of an evil time. For just as God has establish the one, so also the other, in order that man may not find any just complaint against him.

New American Bible
On a good day enjoy good things, and on an evil day consider: Both the one and the other God has made, so that no one may find the least fault with him.

New Revised Standard Version
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that mortals may not find out anything that will come after them.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but look after yourself in the day of adversity. God also has made one thing opposite to another, to the end that man should know nothing after he is gone.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the day of goodness be in prosperity, and in the day of evil look after your soul; God also makes this one opposite that one, so that a son of man will not find anything to say after him

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God hath made even the one as well as the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider, I say, God also has caused the one to agree with the other for this reason, that man should find nothing after him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Value of Wisdom
…13Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent? 14In 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.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. / I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Job 2:10
“You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Psalm 31:15
My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

Isaiah 45:7
I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things.

Lamentations 3:37-38
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it? / Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. / He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Habakkuk 3:17-18
Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, / yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Treasury of Scripture

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also has set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

the day

Ecclesiastes 3:4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Deuteronomy 28:47
Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

Psalm 30:11,12
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; …

but

Deuteronomy 8:3
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

1 Kings 8:47
Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

1 Kings 17:17,18
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him…

set

Ecclesiastes 12:8,13
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity…

Hosea 2:6,7
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths…

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Ecclesiastes 7

1. remedies against vanity are, a good name
2. mortification
7. patience
11. wisdom
23. The difficulty of wisdom

Berean Study Bible

In the day of prosperity
The Hebrew word for "prosperity" is "טוֹב" (tov), which generally means "good" or "pleasant." This phrase encourages believers to embrace and celebrate the blessings and good times that God provides. Historically, prosperity was often seen as a sign of God's favor in the Old Testament. The call to be joyful during these times is a reminder to acknowledge God's hand in our blessings and to cultivate a heart of gratitude.

be joyful
The Hebrew root for "joyful" is "שָׂמַח" (samach), which means to rejoice or be glad. This is an active command, urging believers to not only recognize prosperity but to respond with joy. Joy in the biblical sense is more than a fleeting emotion; it is a deep-seated contentment and appreciation for God's provision. This joy is a testament to faith, acknowledging that all good things come from God.

but in the day of adversity
The word "adversity" comes from the Hebrew "רָעָה" (ra'ah), meaning "evil" or "distress." This phrase acknowledges that life is not only filled with good times but also with challenges and hardships. The Bible often speaks of adversity as a time of testing and growth. Historically, adversity was seen as an opportunity for believers to rely more deeply on God and to develop perseverance and character.

consider
The Hebrew word "רָאָה" (ra'ah) means "to see" or "to perceive." This is a call to reflection and understanding. In times of adversity, believers are encouraged to pause and reflect on the situation, seeking God's wisdom and perspective. This consideration is not passive but an active engagement with one's faith, seeking to discern God's purpose and presence even in difficult times.

God has made one as well as the other
This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty over all aspects of life. The Hebrew word for "made" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means "to do" or "to make." It underscores the belief that both prosperity and adversity are within God's control and purpose. This understanding calls believers to trust in God's plan, recognizing that He is at work in both the good and the challenging times.

so that man cannot discover anything that will come after him
The phrase "cannot discover" comes from the Hebrew "מָצָא" (matsa), meaning "to find" or "to discover." This highlights the limitations of human understanding and foresight. The inability to predict the future is a humbling reminder of our dependence on God. It calls believers to live by faith, trusting in God's wisdom and timing, rather than relying on their own understanding or plans.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) Ecclus. 14:14, 33. The first clause may be more closely rendered, "In the good day be of good cheer." As a consolation in time of adversity the thought Job 2:10 is offered. The last clause connects itself with the first, the idea being that of Ecclesiastes 3:22; "take the present enjoyment which God gives, seeing that man cannot tell what shall be after him."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - In the day of prosperity be joyful; literally, in the day of good be in good i.e. when things go well with you, be cheerful (Ecclesiastes 9:7; Esther 8:17); accept the situation and enjoy it. The advice is the same as that which runs through the book, viz. to make the best of the present. So Ben-Sire says, "Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not a share in a good desire pass thee by" (Ecclus. 14:14). Septuagint Ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἀγαθωσύνης ζῆθι ἐν αγαθῷ, "In a day of good live in (an atmosphere of) good;" Vulgate, in die bona fruere bonis, "In a good day enjoy your good things." But in the day of adversity consider; in the evil day look well. The writer could not conclude this clause so as to make it parallel with the other, or he would have had to say, "In the ill day take it ill," which would be far from his meaning; so he introduces a thought which may help to make one resigned to adversity. The reflection follows. Septuagint, Καὶ ἴδε ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακίας ἴδε κ.τ.λ..; Vulgate, Et malam diem praecave, "Beware of the evil day." But, doubtless, the object of the verb is the following clause. God also hath set the one over against the other; or, God hath made the one corresponding to the other; i.e. he hath made the day of evil as well as the day of good. The light and shade in man's life are equally under God's ordering and permission. "What?" cries Job (Job 2:10), "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" Corn. Lapide quotes a saying of Plutarch to this effect: the harp gives forth sounds acute and grave, and both combine to form the melody; so in man's life the mingling of prosperity and adversity yields a well-adjusted harmony. God strikes all the strings of our life's harp, and we ought, not only patiently, but cheerfully, to listen to the chords produced by this Divine Performer. To the end that man should find nothing after him. This clause gives Koheleth's view of God's object in the admixture of good and evil; but the reason has been variously interpreted, the explanation depending on the sense assigned to the term "after him" (אַתַרָיו). The Septuagint gives ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, which is vague; the Vulgate, contra eum, meaning that man may have no occasion to complain against God. Cheyne ('Job and Solomon') considers that Koheleth here implies that death closes the scene, and that there is then nothing more to fear, rendering the clause, "On the ground that man is to experience nothing at all hereafter." They who believe that the writer held the doctrine of a future life cannot acquiesce in this view. The interpretation of Delitzsch is this - God lets man pass through the whole discipline of good and evil, that when lie dies there may be nothing which he has not experienced. Hitzig and Nowack explain the text to mean that, as God designs that man after his death shall have done with all things, he sends upon him evil as well as good, that he may not have to punish him hereafter - a doctrine opposed to the teaching of a future judgment. Wright deems the idea to be that man may be kept in ignorance of what shall happen to him beyond the grave, that the present life may afford no clue to the future. One does not see why this should be a comfort, nor how it is compatible with God's known counsel of making the condition of the future life dependent upon the conduct of this. Other explanations being more or less unsatisfactory, many modern commentators see in the passage an assertion that God intermingle8 good and evil in men's lives according to laws with which they are unacquainted, in order that they may not disquiet themselves by forecasting the future, whether in this life or after their death, but may be wholly dependent upon God, casting all their care upon him, knowing that he careth for them (1 Peter 5:7). We may safely adopt this explanation (comp. Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 6:12). The paragraph then con-rains the same teaching as Horace's oft-quoted ode-

"Prudens futuri temporis exitum," etc.
(Carm.,' 3:29. 29.) Theognis', 1075 -

Πρήγματος ἀπρήκτου χαλεπώτατόν ἐστι τελεντὴν
Γνῶναι ὅπως μέλλει τοῦτο Θεὸς τελέσαι
Ορφνη γὰρ τέταται πρὸ δὲ τοῦ μέλλοντος ἔσεσθαι
Οὐ ξυνετὰ θνητοῖς πείρατ ἀμηχανίης,

"The issue of an action incomplete,
Tis hard to forecast how God may dispose it;
For it is veiled in darkest night, and man
In present hour can never comprehend
His helpless efforts." Plumptre quotes the lines in Cleanthes's hymn to Zeus, vers. 18-21 ('Poet. Gnom.,' p. 24) -

Ἀλλὰ σὺ καὶ τὰ περισσά κ.τ.λ.

"Thou alone knowest how to change the odd
To even, and to make the crooked straight;
And things discordant find accent in thee.
Thus in one whole thou blendest ill with good,
So that one law works on for evermore." Ben-Sira has evidently borrowed the idea in Ecclus. 33: (36.) 13-15 from our passage; after speaking of man being like clay under the potter's hand, he proceeds, "Good is set over against evil, and life over against death; so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly. So look upon all the works of the Mast High: there are two and two, one against the ether."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

In the day
בְּי֤וֹם (bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of prosperity
טוֹבָה֙ (ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

be
הֱיֵ֣ה (hĕ·yêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

joyful,
בְט֔וֹב (ḇə·ṭō·wḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

but in the day
וּבְי֥וֹם (ū·ḇə·yō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of adversity,
רָעָ֖ה (rā·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

consider this:
רְאֵ֑ה (rə·’êh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

God
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has made
עָשָׂ֣ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

one [of these]
זֶ֤ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

along with
לְעֻמַּת־ (lə·‘um·maṯ-)
Preposition-l
Strong's 5980: Society, near, beside, along with

the other,
זֶה֙ (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

so that
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a man
הָֽאָדָ֛ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

cannot
שֶׁלֹּ֨א (šel·lō)
Pronoun - relative | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

discover
יִמְצָ֧א (yim·ṣā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

anything
מְאֽוּמָה׃ (mə·’ū·māh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3972: A speck, point, nothing

that will come after him.
אַחֲרָ֖יו (’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)