For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
I thought carefully about all of this in my heart, wanting to explain it clearly: the righteous and wise people, along with everything they do, are in God's hands. No one can tell whether God loves or hates them just by looking at what happens to them in life.
The writer is saying that good and wise people are ultimately in God's control, but we can't figure out God's feelings toward anyone just by observing their circumstances.
📚 Historical Context
This comes from Ecclesiastes, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, written around 950 BC during Israel's golden age. The book reflects on life's mysteries and apparent contradictions from the perspective of someone who had experienced both great wisdom and material prosperity. The author wrestles with why good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.