Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
Study Note
Study Note
Qohelet's invitation — 'rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment' — is one of the most surprising passages in wisdom literature. The commendation of youthful pleasure is genuine, not ironic: Ecclesiastes consistently endorses enjoyment as itself a divine gift (2:24; 9:7-9). The attached warning ('God will bring you into judgment') does not cancel the enjoyment but frames it: creation goods are to be received responsibly, not grasped absolutely. The verse captures Ecclesiastes' distinctive contribution to wisdom: it accepts the goodness of creaturely life while refusing to exempt any human experience from divine accountability.
Other Translations
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
Rejoice, O young man, in thy childhood, And let thy heart gladden thee in days of thy youth, And walk in the ways of thy heart, And in the sight of thine eyes, And know thou that for all these, Doth God bring thee into judgment.
Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.
Cross References
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, …
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of …
But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth …
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments …
And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I …
And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, …
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of …
And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof …
And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she …
And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord …