Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.
Overview
Ecclesiastes, on eating, drinking and finding satisfaction, gives many of the verses that readers of OpenBible linked to enjoying life; the others are from Proverbs, the Psalms, the Gospels and two letters. They are shown in five groups.
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In Ecclesiastes 2:24 the Teacher says that nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work, and 3:12–13 calls this the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:18 calls it good and fitting, and 8:15 commends the enjoyment of life. Ecclesiastes 11:9 tells a young man to rejoice while he is young, but to know that for all these things God will bring him to judgment, and 7:14 says to be joyful in the day of prosperity and to consider, in the day of adversity, that God has made both.
Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine.” In Psalm 16:11 the psalmist says to God, “You will fill me with joy in Your presence,” and Psalm 118:24 speaks of rejoicing in the day that the LORD has made. In Luke 1:47 Mary says that her spirit rejoices in God her Savior.
In John 16:24 Jesus tells His disciples to ask in His name, so that their joy may be complete, and in 16:33 that in Him they may have peace. In Matthew 6:25–34 He says not to worry about one's life; in Matthew 11:28–30 He offers rest to all who are weary and burdened; in Luke 15:7 He speaks of joy in heaven over one sinner who repents; and in John 10:10 He says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” 1 Peter 3:10 speaks of whoever would love life and see good days, and 1 Timothy 6:17 of God, who richly provides all things to enjoy.
To eat and drink and find satisfaction, in Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 2:24
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BSB
Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.
KJV
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
WEB
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
From Ecclesiastes, whose words the book attributes to the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Context (BSB)
Ecclesiastes 2:23
Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.
Ecclesiastes 2:25
For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment?
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.
KJV
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
WEB
Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.
From Ecclesiastes, whose words the book attributes to the Teacher.
Context (BSB)
Ecclesiastes 5:17
Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.
Ecclesiastes 5:19
Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.
12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, 13and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.
KJV
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
WEB
12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live. 13Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
From Ecclesiastes, whose words the book attributes to the Teacher; this entry joins verses 12 and 13.
Context (BSB)
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him.
So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.
KJV
Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
WEB
Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun than to eat, to drink, and to be joyful: for that will accompany him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
From Ecclesiastes, whose words the book attributes to the Teacher.
Context (BSB)
Ecclesiastes 8:14
There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.
Ecclesiastes 8:16
When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night—
Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
KJV
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.
WEB
Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
From Ecclesiastes, whose words the book attributes to the Teacher, near the end of the book.
Context (BSB)
Ecclesiastes 11:8
So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile.
Ecclesiastes 11:10
So banish sorrow from your heart, and cast off pain from your body, for youth and vigor are fleeting.
In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.
KJV
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
WEB
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
From Ecclesiastes, whose words the book attributes to the Teacher.
Context (BSB)
Ecclesiastes 7:13
Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent?
Ecclesiastes 7:15
In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.
Words of Jesus: complete joy, rest, life in all its fullness
John 16:24
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Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
KJV
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
WEB
Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
Jesus speaking to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion, in what He tells them before He prays to the Father.
Context (BSB)
John 16:23
In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
John 16:25
I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.
KJV
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
WEB
25Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? 27“Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? 28Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, 29yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith? 31“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
Show all 10 verses
Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, speaking to His disciples and the crowds; this entry runs from verse 25 to verse 34.
Context (BSB)
Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
28Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
KJV
28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
WEB
28“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus speaking in the Gospel of Matthew, right after He praises the Father; this entry runs from verse 28 to verse 30.
Context (BSB)
Matthew 11:27
All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
Matthew 12:1
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
KJV
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
WEB
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, in a parable told to Pharisees and scribes who grumble that He welcomes sinners.
Context (BSB)
Luke 15:6
comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’
Luke 15:8
Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it?
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
KJV
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
WEB
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus speaking to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion; these are His last words to them before He prays to the Father.
Context (BSB)
John 16:32
“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
John 17:1
When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.
Loving life, and God who provides all things to enjoy
1 Peter 3:10
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For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
KJV
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
WEB
For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
From a letter that names its writer as Peter, to believers living as exiles in several provinces; the verse opens a quotation that continues in the two verses after it.
Context (BSB)
1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:11
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
KJV
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
WEB
Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
A letter written in the name of Paul to Timothy, in the instructions that close the letter.
Context (BSB)
1 Timothy 6:16
He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
1 Timothy 6:18
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
