19 (A)For the fate of the sons of mankind and the fate of animals [a]is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath, and there is no advantage for mankind over animals, for all is futility. 20 All go to the same place. All came from the (B)dust and all return to the dust. 21 Who knows that the (C)spirit of the sons of mankind ascends upward and the spirit of the animal descends downward to the earth?

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 3:19 Lit and they have one fate

19 Surely the fate of human beings(A) is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath[a]; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.(B) 21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward(C) and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 3:19 Or spirit