3:19 For the fate of humans 1 and the fate of animals are the same:
As one dies, so dies the other; both have the same breath.
There is no advantage for humans over animals,
for both are fleeting.
3:20 Both go to the same place,
both come from the dust,
and to dust both return.
3:21 Who really knows if the human spirit 2 ascends upward,
and the animal’s spirit descends into the earth?
3:22 So I perceived there is nothing better than for people 3 to enjoy their work, 4
because that is their 5 reward;
for who can show them what the future holds? 6
1 tn Heb “of the sons of man.”
2 tn Heb “the spirit of the sons of man.”
3 tn Heb “man.”
4 tn Heb “his works.”
5 tn Heb “his.”
6 tn Heb “what will be after him” (cf. KJV, NASB, NIV) or “afterward” (cf. NJPS).