Ecclesiastes 3:18

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

I said in my heart, [It is] because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are [but as] beasts.

Ecclesiastes 3:18 — American Standard Version

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Context — Ecclesiastes 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.

15That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.

16And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.

17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18I said in my heart, [It is] because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are [but as] beasts.

19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity.

20All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?

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