Ecclesiastes 3:19-22

Context

3:19 For the fate of humans¹ 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 spirit² ascends upward,

and the animal’s spirit descends into the earth?

3:22 So I perceived there is nothing better than for people³ to enjoy their work,⁴

because that is their⁵ reward;

for who can show them what the future holds?⁶

[3:19] ¹tn Heb “of the sons of man.”

[3:21] ²tn Heb “the spirit of the sons of man.”

[3:22] ³tn Heb “man.”

[3:22] ⁴tn Heb “his works.”

[3:22] ⁵tn Heb “his.”

[3:22] ⁶tn Heb “what will be after him” (cf. KJV, NASB, NIV) or “afterward” (cf. NJPS).