Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. New Living Translation The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows. English Standard Version But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God. Berean Standard Bible Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. King James Bible But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. New King James Version But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. New American Standard Bible But it will not go well for the evil person and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God. NASB 1995 But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God. NASB 1977 But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God. Legacy Standard Bible But it will not be well for the wicked man, and he will not prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God openly. Amplified Bible But it will not be well for the evil man, nor will he lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God. Christian Standard Bible However, it will not go well with the wicked, and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God. Holman Christian Standard Bible However, it will not go well with the wicked, and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God. American Standard Version but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. Contemporary English Version but no one who sins and rejects God will prosper or live very long. English Revised Version but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. GOD'S WORD® Translation But it will not go well for the wicked. They will not live any longer. Their lives are like shadows, because they don't fear God. Good News Translation but it will not go well for the wicked. Their life is like a shadow and they will die young, because they do not obey God." International Standard Version But things will not go well for the wicked person: he will not lengthen his life like a shadow, since he has no fear before God. Majority Standard Bible Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. NET Bible But it will not go well with the wicked, nor will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God. New Heart English Bible But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he lengthen days like a shadow; because he doesn't fear God. Webster's Bible Translation But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. World English Bible But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he lengthen days like a shadow, because he doesn’t fear God. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd good is not to the wicked, and he does not prolong days as a shadow, because he is not fearing before God. Young's Literal Translation And good is not to the wicked, and he doth not prolong days as a shadow, because he is not fearing before God. Smith's Literal Translation And it shall not be good to the unjust one; he shall not lengthen the days as a shadow, for he feared not from before the face of God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut let it not be well with the wicked, neither let his days be prolonged, but as a shadow let them pass away that fear not the face of the Lord. Catholic Public Domain Version So, may it not go well with the impious, and may his days not be prolonged. And let those who do not fear the face of the Lord pass away like a shadow. New American Bible and that it shall not be well with the wicked, who shall not prolong their shadowy days, for their lack of reverence toward God. New Revised Standard Version but it will not be well with the wicked, neither will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are like a shadow; because he does not fear before God. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the wicked one will have no good, and he will not lengthen days like a shadow, because he is not in awe before God OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he feareth not before God. Brenton Septuagint Translation but it shall not be well with the ungodly, and he shall not prolong his days, which are as a shadow; forasmuch as he fears not before God. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Fear God…12Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. 13Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. Cross References Psalm 37:9-10 For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. / Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short. Isaiah 3:11 Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. Job 18:5-21 Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow. / The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out. / His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up. ... Psalm 73:17-20 until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end. / Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. / How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! ... Proverbs 11:21 Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape. Isaiah 57:20-21 But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. / “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Job 20:5-29 the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary? / Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds, / he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’ ... Psalm 1:4-6 Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. / Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. / For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Proverbs 24:20 For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. Matthew 13:49-50 So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous / and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Romans 2:8-9 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. / There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. / They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, Matthew 25:41-46 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. / For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, / I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’ ... Luke 16:23-24 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. / So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’ Treasury of Scripture But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he fears not before God. it shall Job 18:5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? Job 21:30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. neither Psalm 55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. Isaiah 30:13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. 2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. as a Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? Job 7:6,7 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope… Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Jump to Previous Evil Evil-Doer Fear Feareth Fearing Good Lengthen Prolong Shade Shadow WickedJump to Next Evil Evil-Doer Fear Feareth Fearing Good Lengthen Prolong Shade Shadow WickedEcclesiastes 8 1. true wisdom is modest2. Kings are to be respected 6. Divine providence is to be observed 12. It is better with the godly in adversity, than with the wicked in prosperity 16. The work of God is unsearchable Yet because the wicked do not fear God The fear of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, often associated with wisdom and righteousness (Proverbs 9:10). In the context of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher observes the futility and vanity of life under the sun, emphasizing that a lack of reverence for God leads to moral and spiritual decay. The wicked, those who live in defiance of God's commandments, are contrasted with the righteous who fear God. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, a concept echoed in Job 28:28 and Psalm 111:10. The absence of this fear results in a life devoid of divine guidance and blessing. it will not go well with them and their days will not lengthen like a shadow Persons / Places / Events 1. The WickedRefers to those who live in opposition to God's commandments and moral order. In the context of Ecclesiastes, the wicked are those who pursue life without regard for divine wisdom or fear of God. 2. Solomon Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. He reflects on the meaning of life and the futility of human endeavors without God. 3. God The central figure in the text, representing ultimate authority, justice, and the source of true wisdom. The fear of God is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing reverence and obedience. 4. Shadow A metaphor used to describe the fleeting nature of life. In the Hebrew context, a shadow represents something insubstantial and temporary, highlighting the brevity of life without God. 5. Fear of God A key theme in Ecclesiastes, representing reverence, awe, and obedience to God's will. It is contrasted with the life of the wicked, who lack this fear. Teaching Points The Fleeting Nature of WickednessThe life of the wicked is compared to a shadow, emphasizing its temporary and insubstantial nature. This serves as a reminder that living without regard for God leads to a life lacking true substance and permanence. The Importance of Fearing God Fearing God is not about being afraid but about having a deep respect and reverence for Him. This fear leads to wisdom and a life that aligns with God's will, resulting in true fulfillment and longevity. The Consequences of Ignoring God The verse warns that it will not be well with the wicked. This serves as a cautionary message that ignoring God's commandments and living a life of sin leads to negative consequences both in this life and beyond. The Illusion of Success The temporary success of the wicked can be deceiving. True success is measured by one's relationship with God and adherence to His ways, not by worldly achievements or pleasures. Living with Eternal Perspective This verse encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on what truly matters in light of eternity rather than the fleeting pleasures of this world.(13) As a shadow.--Ecclesiastes 6:12; Wisdom Of Solomon 2:5; see also Wisdom Of Solomon 4:8.Verse 13. - But it shall not be well with the wicked. If experience seemed often to militate against this assertion, Koheleth's faith prevailed against apparent contradictions. Neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow. Above we read of a wicked man enjoying a long, untroubled life; here the contrary is stated. Such contradictions are seen every day. There are inscrutable reasons for the delay of judgment; but on the whole moral government is vindicated, and even the long life of a sinner is no blessing. The author of the Book of Wisdom writes (4:8), "Honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years;" and Isaiah (Isaiah 65:20), "The sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed." Man's life is compared to a shadow because it passes away with the setting sun (see on Ecclesiastes 6:12). The Vulgate, in order to obviate the apparent discrepancy between this and the preceding verses, renders the verb in a precatory form: Non sit bonum impio, etc., "Let it not be well with the wicked, and let his days not be prolonged; but let them pass away as a shadow who fear not the Lord." This is quite unnecessary; and the words, "as a shadow," according to the accents, belong to what precedes, as in the Authorized Version. Hitzig and others have adopted the Vulgate division, and render, "Like a shadow is he who fears not God." But there is no sufficient reason for disregarding the existing accentuation. Septuagint, "He shall not prolong his days in a shadow (ἐν σκιᾷ)." Because he feareth not before God. This is the reason, looking to temporal retribution, why the wicked shall not live out half their days (Ecclesiastes 7:17; Proverbs 10:27; Psalm 55:23). Koheleth cleaves to the doctrine received from old time, although facts seem often to contradict it. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Yet becauseאֲשֶׁ֛ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that [the wicked] do not אֵינֶ֥נּוּ (’ê·nen·nū) Adverb | third person masculine singular Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle fear יָרֵ֖א (yā·rê) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 3373: Fearing, reverent God, אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative it will not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no go יִהְיֶ֣ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be well וְטוֹב֙ (wə·ṭō·wḇ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good with [them], לָֽרָשָׁ֔ע (lā·rā·šā‘) Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person and their days יָמִ֖ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day will not וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no lengthen יַאֲרִ֥יךְ (ya·’ă·rîḵ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 748: To be, long like a shadow. כַּצֵּ֑ל (kaṣ·ṣêl) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6738: A shadow Links Ecclesiastes 8:13 NIVEcclesiastes 8:13 NLT Ecclesiastes 8:13 ESV Ecclesiastes 8:13 NASB Ecclesiastes 8:13 KJV Ecclesiastes 8:13 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 8:13 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 8:13 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 8:13 French Bible Ecclesiastes 8:13 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 8:13 But it shall not be well (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
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