1
For everything there is an appointed time, and a time for every matter under the heavens.
2
A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted.
3
A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to tear down, and a time to build.
4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
5
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
6
A time to seek, and a time to lose. A time to guard, and a time to cast away.
7
A time to tear, and a time to sew. A time to keep silent, and a time to speak.
8
A time to love, and a time to hate. A time for war, and a time for shalom.
9
What profit does the worker have from that in which he labors?
10
I have seen the task which Elohim has given to the sons of Adam to be occupied with it.
11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also placed eternity in their heart, yet so that Adam cannot find out the work which Elohim has done from beginning to end.
12
I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in their lives.
13
And also that every Adam should eat and drink and see good in all his labor— this is the gift of Elohim.
14
I know that whatever Elohim does shall remain forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing can be taken from it. And Elohim has done this so that Adam may fear before Him.
15
What has been already is, and what shall be already has been. And Elohim seeks what has been driven away.
16
And again I saw under the sun: in the place of Judgment, there was wickedness, and in the place of Righteousness, there was wickedness.
17
I said in my heart, “Elohim shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every purpose and for every work there.”
18
I said in my heart concerning the sons of Adam: Elohim tests them so that they may see that they themselves are beasts.
19
For the event of the sons of Adam and the event of the beast is one event for them. As this one dies, so dies that one. And one ruach is for them all. Adam has no advantage over the beast, for everything is vapor.
20
All go to one place. All came from dust, and all return to dust.
21
Who knows whether the ruach of the sons of Adam ascends upward, and whether the ruach of the beast descends downward to the earth?
22
Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that Adam rejoice in his works, for that is his portion. For who can bring him to see what shall be after him?