Study Desk

There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven:^(a)

a time to give birth and a time to die;^(b) a time to plant and a time to uproot;^[a]

a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build;

a time to weep and a time to laugh;^(c) a time to mourn and a time to dance;^(d)

a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;^(e) a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing;^(f)

a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away;

a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak;^(g)

a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.^(h)

What does the worker gain from his struggles?⁽ⁱ⁾

I have seen the task that God has given people to keep them occupied.^(j)

He has made everything appropriate^[b] in its time.^(k) He has also put eternity in their hearts,^[c] but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.^(l)

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the^[d] good life.

It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts.^(m)

I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it.⁽ⁿ⁾ God works so that people will be in awe of Him.^(o)

Whatever is, has already been,^(p) and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed.^[e]