Add parallel Print Page Options

20 (A)Both go to the same place; both were made from the dust, and to the dust they both return. 21 Who knows[a] if the life breath of mortals goes upward and the life breath of beasts goes earthward? 22 (B)And I saw that there is nothing better for mortals than to rejoice in their work; for this is their lot. Who will let them see what is to come after them?(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 3:21 Who knows: the author presumes a negative answer: “No one knows.” In place of speculation on impossible questions, the author counsels enjoyment of what is possible (cf. v. 22; but see also 2:10–11).

20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.(A) 21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward(B) and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”

22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work,(C) because that is their lot.(D) For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

Read full chapter