"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race {is} not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread …" — Ecclesiastes 9:11

Ecclesiastes 9:11 · KJV

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race {is} not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”

— Ecclesiastes 9:11

Verse 10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do {it} with thy might; for {there is} no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Verse 12

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so {are} the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Ecclesiastes 9 — Context

Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that {is} thy portion in {this} life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. {Live...: Heb. See, or, Enjoy life}

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do {it} with thy might; for {there is} no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race {is} not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it {seemed} great unto me:

Cross References

Jeremiah 9:23

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise {man} glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty {man} glory in his might, let not the rich {man} glory in his riches:

Proverbs 21:30-31

{There is} no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Lamentations 3:37-38

Who {is} he {that} saith, and it cometh to pass, {when} the Lord commandeth {it} not?

Job 5:11-14

To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

Ecclesiastes 3:17

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for {there is} a time there for every purpose and for every work.

Amos 2:14-16

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: {himself: Heb. his soul, or, life}

Ecclesiastes 3:14

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth {it}, that {men} should fear before him.

Psalms 147:10-11

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.