"Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: fo…" — Ecclesiastes 8:15

Ecclesiastes 8:15 · KJV

“Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.”

— Ecclesiastes 8:15

Verse 14

There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just {men}, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked {men}, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also {is} vanity.

Verse 16

When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also {there is that} neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)

Ecclesiastes 8 — Context

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong {his} days, {which are} as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also {there is that} neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)

Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek {it} out, yet he shall not find {it}; yea further; though a wise {man} think to know {it}, yet shall he not be able to find {it}.

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:24

{There is} nothing better for a man, {than} that he should eat and drink, and {that} he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it {was} from the hand of God. {should make...: or, delight his senses}

Ecclesiastes 5:18

Behold {that} which I have seen: {it is} good and comely {for one} to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it {is} his portion. {It is good...: Heb. there is a good which is comely, etc} {all the days: Heb. the number of the days}

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

I know that {there is} no good in them, but for {a man} to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

Ecclesiastes 9:7-9

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

1 Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; {uncertain...: Gr. uncertainty of riches}

Ecclesiastes 3:22

Wherefore I perceive that {there is} nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that {is} his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

1 Timothy 4:3-4

Forbidding to marry, {and commanding} to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.