Eclesiastés 9:1-8

1 La muerte nos llega a todos
También me dediqué a investigar lo siguiente: si bien Dios tiene en sus manos las acciones de los sabios y de los justos, nadie sabe si Dios les mostrará su favor.

2 A la larga, a todos les espera el mismo destino, sean justos o malvados, buenos o malos,
religiosos o no religiosos, estén o no ceremonialmente puros. Las personas buenas reciben el mismo trato que los pecadores, y las personas que hacen promesas a Dios reciben el mismo trato que los que no las hacen.

3 ¡Parece tan trágico que todo el mundo bajo el sol tenga el mismo destino! Por eso la gente no presta más atención en ser buena. En cambio, cada uno elige su propio camino de locura, porque nadie tiene esperanza. Sea como fuere, lo único que hay por delante es la muerte.

4 Hay esperanza solo para los que están vivos. Como se suele decir: «¡Más vale perro vivo que león muerto!».

5 Los que están vivos al menos saben que un día van a morir, pero los muertos no saben nada. Ya no reciben más recompensas, y nadie los recuerda.

6 Lo que hayan hecho en su vida —amar, odiar, envidiar— pasó ya hace mucho. Ya no son parte de nada en este mundo.

7 Así que, ¡adelante! Come tus alimentos con alegría y bebe tu vino con un corazón contento, ¡porque Dios lo aprueba!

8 ¡Vístete con ropa elegante y échate un poco de perfume!

Eclesiastés 9:1-8 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.