Ecclesiastes 9:12
What does Ecclesiastes 9:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 9:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even man has no knowledge of his time; like fishes taken in an evil net, or like birds taken by deceit, are the sons of men taken in an evil time when it comes suddenly on them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For even man knoweth not his time; as fish that are taken hold of by an evil net, and as birds that are taken hold of by a snare, like these <FI>are<Fi> the sons of man snared at an evil time, when it falleth upon them suddenly.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Man knoweth not his own end: but as fishes are taken with the hook, and as birds are caught with the snare, so men are taken in the evil time, when it shall suddenly come upon them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are taken with the snare, like them are the children of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
Context
v.11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
v.12This passage
v.13I have also seen wisdom under the sun on this wise, and it seemed great unto me:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 6:15
Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; On a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy.
- Proverbs 29:6
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
- Luke 12:39
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.
- Job 18:8
For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walketh upon the toils.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3
When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
- Luke 17:26
And as it came to pass in the days of Noah, even so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
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