Ecclesiastes 8:13

8:13 But it will not go well with the wicked,

nor will they ¹  prolong their ²  days like a shadow, ³ 

because they ⁴  do not stand in fear ⁵  before God.

[8:13]  ¹ tn Heb “he.”

[8:13]  ² tn The word “their” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for smoothness.

[8:13]  ³ tn The phrase “like a shadow” (כַּצֵּל, katsel) modifies the verb (“prolong”) rather than the noun (“days”). Several English versions misconstrue the line: “he will not prolong his days, [which are] like a shadow” (KJV, ASV); “the man who does not fear God is like a shadow” (NEB); and “he will not prolong his shadowy days” (NAB). It should be rendered “he will not prolong his days like a shadow” (RSV, NRSV, NASB, MLB, NIV). Unlike a shadow that lengthens at sunset, the wicked do not normally live long.

[8:13]  ⁴ tn Heb “he.”

[8:13]  ⁵ tn Heb “they do not fear.”