Eclesiastés 9:1-10

Un destino común

1 A todo esto me dediqué de lleno, y en todo esto comprobé que los justos y los sabios, y sus obras, están en las manos de Dios; que el hombre nada sabe del amor ni del odio, aunque los tenga ante sus ojos.

2 Para todos hay un mismo final:para el justo y el injusto,para el bueno y el malo,para el puro y el impuro,para el que ofrece sacrificiosy para el que no los ofrece;para el bueno y para el pecador,para el que hace juramentosy para el que no los hace.

3 Hay un mal en todo lo que se hace en esta vida: que todos tienen un mismo final. Además, el corazón del hombre rebosa de maldad; la locura está en su corazón toda su vida, y su fin está entre los muertos.

4 ¿Por quién, pues, decidirse? Entre todos los vivos hay esperanza, puesvale más perro vivoque león muerto.

5 Porque los vivos saben que han de morir, pero los muertos no saben nada ni esperan nada, pues su memoria cae en el olvido.

6 Sus amores, odios y pasiones llegan a su fin, y nunca más vuelven a tener parte en nada de lo que se hace en esta vida.

7 ¡Anda, come tu pan con alegría! ¡Bebe tu vino con buen ánimo, que Dios ya se ha agradado de tus obras!

8 Que sean siempre blancos tus vestidos, y que no falte nunca el perfume en tus cabellos.

9 Goza de la vida con la mujer amada cada día de la vida sin sentido que Dios te ha dado en este mundo. ¡Cada uno de tus absurdos días! Esto es lo que te ha tocado de todos tus afanes en este mundo.

10 Y todo lo que te venga a la mano, hazlo con todo empeño; porque en el sepulcro, adonde te diriges, no hay trabajo ni planes ni conocimiento ni sabiduría.

Eclesiastés 9:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 9

Though the wise man, with all his wisdom, search, and labour, could not find out the causes and reasons of divine Providence, in the branches and methods of it; yet some things he did find out, and observe, in making this inquiry, and which he declares; as that good and wise men, more especially their persons and their affairs, were in the hand of God, under his guidance, government, and direction; and that an interest in his love and hatred was not to be known by the outward estate of men, Ec 9:1; That the same events happen to good and bad men, who are variously described; that the hearts of wicked men are full of sin and madness as long as they live, and that they all must and do die, Ec 9:2,3; and then the state of such dead is described, as being without hope, knowledge, reward, or memory; and without love, hatred, or envy, or any portion in the things of this life, Ec 9:4-6. Wherefore good men are advised to live cheerfully, in a view of acceptance with God, both of persons and services; and eat and drink, and clothe well, according to their circumstances, and enjoy their friends and families; since nothing of this kind can be done in the grave, Ec 9:7-10. Then the wise man observes another vanity; that success in undertakings is not always to persons who bid fair, and might hope for it, but looks like the effect of chance, Ec 9:11; which want of success is often owing to their ignorance of the proper time of doing things, and to their want of foresight, thought, and care, to prevent evils; for which reason they are compared to fishes and birds, taken in a net or snare, Ec 9:12. And concludes with a commendation of wisdom, illustrated by an example of it, in a certain person that delivered a city by it, Ec 9:13-15; and though the man's wisdom was despised, yet it is preferable to strength, or weapons of war, or the noise of a foolish ruler, who destroys much good, Ec 9:16-18.