Ecclesiastes 9:11

KJV1611 – Modern English

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

    Again I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor does bread come to the wise, nor riches to the discerning, nor favor to the knowledgeable; but time and chance happen to them all.

  • King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

    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.

  • American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

    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 favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

  • King James Version with Strong's Numbers

    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.

  • Coverdale Bible (1535)

    So I turned me vnto other thinges vnder ye Sonne, and I sawe, that in runnynge, it helpeth not to be swift: in batayll, it helpeth not to be stronge: to fedynge, it helpeth not to be wyse: to riches, it helpeth not to be sutyll: to be had in fauoure, it helpeth not to be connynge: but that all lyeth in tyme & fortune.

  • Geneva Bible (1560)

    I returned, and I sawe vnder the sunne that the race is not to the swift, nor the battell to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, nor also riches to men of vnderstanding, neither yet fauour to men of knowledge: but time and chance commeth to them all.

  • Bishops' Bible (1568)

    So I turned me vnto other thinges vnder the sunne, & I sawe that in running it helpeth not to be swift, in battell it helpeth not to be strong, to feeding it helpeth not to be wyse, to riches it helpeth not to be a man of muche vnderstanding, to be had in fauour it helpeth not to be cunning: but that all lieth in tyme and fortune.

  • Authorized King James Version (1611)

    ¶ 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.

  • Webster's Bible (1833)

    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 favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.

  • Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

    I have turned so as to see under the sun, that not to the swift `is' the race, nor to the mighty the battle, nor even to the wise bread, nor even to the intelligent wealth, nor even to the skilful grace, for time and chance happen with them all.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    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 favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    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 favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

  • Bible in Basic English (1941)

    And again I saw under the sun that the reward goes not to him who is quick, or the fruits of war to the strong; and there is no bread for the wise, or wealth for men of learning, or respect for those who have knowledge; but time and chance come to all.

  • World English Bible (2000)

    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 favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.

  • NET Bible® (New English Translation)

    Wisdom Cannot Protect against Seemingly Chance Events Again, I observed this on the earth: the race is not always won by the swiftest, the battle is not always won by the strongest; prosperity does not always belong to those who are the wisest, wealth does not always belong to those who are the most discerning, nor does success always come to those with the most knowledge– for time and chance may overcome them all.

Referenced Verses

  • Jer 9:23 : 23 Thus says the LORD, 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor let the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches:
  • Prov 21:30-31 : 30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the LORD. 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but safety is of the LORD.
  • Lam 3:37-38 : 37 Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not commanded it? 38 Does not both calamity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?
  • Amos 2:14-16 : 14 Therefore flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not reinforce his strength, neither shall the mighty save himself: 15 Neither shall he stand that handles the bow; and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself: neither shall he who rides the horse save himself. 16 And he who is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, says the LORD.
  • Dan 4:35 : 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing, and He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say to Him, What are you doing?
  • Jer 46:6 : 6 Do not let the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.
  • Ps 33:16-17 : 16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
  • Ps 73:6-7 : 6 Therefore pride surrounds them as a chain; violence covers them as a garment. 7 Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish.
  • Ps 147:10-11 : 10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse: he takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD takes pleasure in those that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
  • Eph 1:11 : 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will:
  • Eccl 2:12 : 12 I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done.
  • Eccl 2:14-15 : 14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived that the same event happens to them all. 15 So I said in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me. And why was I then more wise?" Then I said in my heart, "This also is vanity."
  • Eccl 3:14 : 14 I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever: nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before him.
  • Eccl 3:17 : 17 I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time for every purpose and for every work.
  • Eccl 4:1 : 1 So I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.
  • Eccl 4:4 : 4 Again, I considered all the toil and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
  • Eccl 7:13 : 13 Consider the work of God, for who can make straight what He has made crooked?
  • 2 Sam 17:23 : 23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose, and went home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in his father's sepulchre.
  • 2 Chr 20:15 : 15 And he said, Listen, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat, Thus says the LORD to you: Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
  • Job 5:11-14 : 11 To set on high those that are low; that those who mourn may be lifted to safety. 12 He frustrates the plans of the crafty, so that their hands cannot accomplish their schemes. 13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the perverse is brought to a rapid end. 14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at midday as if it were night.
  • Job 34:29 : 29 When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can behold Him? Whether it be done against a nation or against a man only.
  • Deut 8:18 : 18 But you shall remember the LORD your God: for it is he that gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
  • 2 Sam 17:14 : 14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
  • Mal 3:18 : 18 Then shall you return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
  • 1 Sam 2:3-9 : 3 Talk no more so proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread; and those who were hungry have ceased to hunger: so that the barren has borne seven; and she who has many children has become feeble. 6 The LORD kills and makes alive: he brings down to the grave and brings up. 7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich: he brings low and lifts up. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust, and lifts up the needy from the ashes, to set them among princes and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he has set the world upon them. 9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no one prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven he shall thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.
  • 1 Sam 17:50 : 50 Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and struck the Philistine, and killed him. There was no sword in David's hand.
  • 2 Sam 2:18-23 : 18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab and Abishai and Asahel: and Asahel was as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle. 19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he did not turn to the right or the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Is that you, Asahel? And he answered, I am. 21 And Abner said to him, Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men, and take his armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn aside from following me: why should I strike you to the ground? How could I face Joab your brother? 23 But he refused to turn aside: therefore Abner struck him with the back end of the spear under the fifth rib, so the spear came out behind him; and he fell there and died on the spot: and as many as came to the place where Asahel fell and died stood still.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 9:12-13
    2 verses
    80%

    12For man also does not know his time: as the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in a snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.

    13This wisdom I have seen also under the sun, and it seemed great to me:

  • Eccl 9:10
    76%

    10Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you go.

  • Eccl 9:1-3
    3 verses
    76%

    1For all this I considered in my heart, even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God. No one knows either love or hatred by all that is before them.

    2All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean, to him that sacrifices, and to him that does not sacrifice; as is the good, so is the sinner; and he who swears, as he who fears an oath.

    3This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yes, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that, they go to the dead.

  • Eccl 8:9
    75%

    9All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun; there is a time when one man rules over another to his own harm.

  • Eccl 8:16-17
    2 verses
    75%

    16When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the work that is done upon the earth (for there are those who neither day nor night see sleep with their eyes),

    17Then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. Even though a man labors to seek it out, he shall not find it; moreover, though a wise man thinks to know it, he shall not be able to find it.

  • Eccl 6:11-12
    2 verses
    73%

    11Since there are many things that increase vanity, what advantage does man have?

    12For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

  • Eccl 2:19-22
    4 verses
    73%

    19And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I have labored and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

    20Therefore I turned my heart to despair over all the labor which I had done under the sun.

    21For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill. Yet he must leave his inheritance to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

    22For what has man from all his labor, and of the striving of his heart with which he has labored under the sun?

  • Eccl 8:14
    73%

    14There is a vanity which is done upon the earth: there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.

  • Eccl 3:9-12
    4 verses
    72%

    9What profit does he have who works in that which he labors?

    10I have seen the task which God has given to the sons of men to be occupied with.

    11He has made everything beautiful in its time: also he has set eternity in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God does from the beginning to the end.

    12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives.

  • Eccl 7:14-15
    2 verses
    72%

    14In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also has set the one against the other, so that man should find nothing after him.

    15All things have I seen in the days of my vanity; there is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness.

  • Eccl 11:6
    72%

    6In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both will be equally good.

  • Eccl 2:11
    72%

    11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor I had toiled to do; and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

  • Eccl 3:19-20
    2 verses
    71%

    19For that which befalls the sons of men also befalls beasts; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other; yes, they all have one breath; so that a man has no advantage over a beast: for all is vanity.

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

  • Eccl 3:22
    71%

    22Therefore I perceive that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what shall be after him?

  • Eccl 4:7
    71%

    7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

  • Eccl 3:1
    71%

    1To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

  • Eccl 8:6-7
    2 verses
    71%

    6Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

    7For he does not know what shall be; for who can tell him when it shall be?

  • Eccl 6:1-2
    2 verses
    71%

    1There is an evil I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

    2A man to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wants nothing for his soul of all he desires, yet God does not give him the power to eat of it, but a stranger eats it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

  • Eccl 6:6-8
    3 verses
    71%

    6Yes, even if he lives a thousand years twice over, yet has seen no good: do not all go to one place?

    7All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet his appetite is not satisfied.

    8For what has the wise more than the fool? what does the poor have, who knows to walk before the living?

  • Eccl 5:16
    70%

    16And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what profit has he who has labored for the wind?

  • Eccl 2:24-26
    3 verses
    70%

    24There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labor. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.

    25For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

    26For God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to the man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and collecting, only to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Eccl 1:9
    70%

    9The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

  • Eccl 3:6
    70%

    6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;

  • Eccl 1:3
    70%

    3What profit does a man have from all his labor which he does under the sun?

  • Eccl 2:15
    69%

    15So I said in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me. And why was I then more wise?" Then I said in my heart, "This also is vanity."

  • Eccl 4:3
    69%

    3Yes, better is he than both, who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

  • Eccl 1:13-14
    2 verses
    69%

    13And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this difficult task God has given to the children of man to be engaged with.

    14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

  • Job 32:9
    69%

    9Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged understand judgment.

  • Eccl 11:1
    69%

    1Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.

  • Eccl 5:18
    69%

    18Behold, what I have seen: it is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life, which God gives him; for it is his portion.