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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-19.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 7:19">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 7:20 <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 7:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For <i>there is</i> not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For <i>there is</i> not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who <i>always</i> does good and does not <i>ever</i> sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who <i>continually</i> does good and who never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who <i>continually</i> does good and who never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who <i>always</i> does good and who never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is certainly no one righteous on the earth who does good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is certainly no righteous man on the earth who does good and never sins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />No one in this world always does right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Certainly, there is no one so righteous on earth that he always does what is good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />There is no one on earth who does what is right all the time and never makes a mistake. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For there is not a single righteous man on earth who practices good and does not sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Because there is not a righteous man on earth that does good and does not sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Because there is not a righteous man on earth that doth good and sinneth not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For not a just man in the earth, who shall do good and not sin.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:21>But there is no just man on earth, who does good and does not sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />yet there is no one on earth so just as to do good and never sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Surely there is no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For there is no just man upon the earth, that does good, and sins not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For there is not a righteous man in Earth who will do what is good and will not sin<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1323" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">The Limits of Human Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">there is no</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dîq (Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">righteous</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">on earth</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ya·‘ă·śeh- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">does</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (N-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">good</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and never</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: ye·ḥĕ·ṭā (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">sins.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a></span><br />As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8-10</a></span><br />If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. / If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Psalm 14:1-3</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. / The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. / All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/53-1.htm">Psalm 53:1-3</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good. / God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. / All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9</a></span><br />Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-2.htm">James 3:2</a></span><br />We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-46.htm">1 Kings 8:46</a></span><br />When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/15-14.htm">Job 15:14-16</a></span><br />What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? / If God puts no trust in His holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in His eyes, / how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-22.htm">Galatians 3:22</a></span><br />But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/130-3.htm">Psalm 130:3</a></span><br />If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a></span><br />Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18-19</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. / For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For there is not a just man on earth, that does good, and sins not.</p><p class="hdg">there</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/8-46.htm">1 Kings 8:46</a></b></br> If they sin against thee, (for <i>there is</i> no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/6-36.htm">2 Chronicles 6:36</a></b></br> If they sin against thee, (for <i>there is</i> no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before <i>their</i> enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-14.htm">Job 15:14-16</a></b></br> What <i>is</i> man, that he should be clean? and <i>he which is</i> born of a woman, that he should be righteous? … </p><p class="hdg">doeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></b></br> But we are all as an unclean <i>thing</i>, and all our righteousnesses <i>are</i> as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-6.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-9.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm">Free</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-2.htm">Sinneth</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-22.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/21-8.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-14.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Free</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-10.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-10.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-14.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-13.htm">Sinneth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-4.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-12.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">remedies against vanity are, a good name</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">mortification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">patience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">The difficulty of wisdom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Surely there is no righteous man on earth</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the universal nature of human imperfection. The Bible consistently teaches that all humans are inherently flawed due to the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). This concept is echoed in <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10</a>, which states, "There is no one righteous, not even one." The idea of universal sinfulness is foundational to understanding the need for redemption through Jesus Christ. Historically, the Jewish understanding of righteousness involved adherence to the Law, yet even the most devout could not achieve perfection, highlighting the need for a savior.<p><b>who does good</b><br>The phrase "who does good" refers to the actions and behaviors that align with God's commandments and moral law. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, "doing good" was often associated with following the Mosaic Law, which included both moral and ceremonial aspects. However, the New Testament expands this understanding, teaching that true goodness comes from a heart transformed by faith in Christ (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a>). The inability to consistently do good underscores humanity's dependence on divine grace.<p><b>and never sins.</b><br>This part of the verse acknowledges the inevitability of sin in human life. Sin, in biblical terms, is any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of God's perfect standard. The historical context of Ecclesiastes, traditionally attributed to Solomon, reflects a period of introspection and recognition of human limitations. Theologically, this phrase points to the necessity of atonement and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, unlike any other, lived a sinless life (<a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Hebrews 4:15</a>). The acknowledgment of sin's universality is crucial for understanding the doctrine of salvation and the transformative power of Christ's resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He reflects on the nature of life and righteousness in this book.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom Solomon originally addressed his writings, providing wisdom literature that would guide them in their relationship with God and each other.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the human condition.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_sin.htm">The Universality of Sin</a></b><br><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20</a> reminds us that no one is exempt from sin. This truth should humble us and lead us to rely on God's grace rather than our own righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_a_savior.htm">The Need for a Savior</a></b><br>Recognizing our inability to be perfectly righteous points us to the necessity of Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life and offers us His righteousness through faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_humility.htm">Living with Humility</a></b><br>Understanding that everyone sins should foster humility in our interactions with others, encouraging us to extend grace and forgiveness as we have received it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuing_righteousness.htm">Pursuing Righteousness</a></b><br>While perfection is unattainable, believers are called to pursue righteousness and holiness, relying on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/confession_and_repentance.htm">Confession and Repentance</a></b><br>Regular confession and repentance are vital practices for maintaining a healthy relationship with God, acknowledging our sins, and seeking His forgiveness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_are_noah_and_job_called_righteous.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 claims no one is righteous—how does this align with biblical figures like Noah and Job who are described as righteous? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_let_good_people_suffer.htm">Why do God allow bad things to happen to good people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_salvation_achieved_in_christianity.htm">How can one achieve salvation according to Christian beliefs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'righteous_man_falls_7_times'.htm">What does "righteous man falls seven times" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - The wisdom above signified is, indeed, absolutely necessary, if one would escape the consequences of that frailty of nature which leads to transgression. Wisdom shows the sinner a way out of the evil course in which he is walking, and puts him back in that fear of God which is his only safety. <span class="cmt_word">For there is not a just man upon earth.</span> The verse confirms ver. 19. Even the just man sinneth, and therefore needs wisdom. <span class="cmt_word">That doeth good, and sinneth not.</span> This reminds us of the words in Solomon's prayer (<a href="/1_kings/8-46.htm">1 Kings 8:46</a>; <a href="/proverbs/20-9.htm">Proverbs 20:9</a>). So St. James (<a href="/james/3-2.htm">James 3:2</a>) says, "In many things we all offend;" and St. John, "It' we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (<a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a>). A Greek gnome runs - <span class="greek">Ἁμαρτάνει τι καὶ σοφοῦ σοφώτερος</span>. "Erreth at times the very wisest man." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Surely</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there is no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">righteous</span><br /><span class="heb">צַדִּ֖יק</span> <span class="translit">(ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on earth</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּאָ֑רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲשֶׂה־</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·śeh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">good</span><br /><span class="heb">טּ֖וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and never</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sins.</span><br /><span class="heb">יֶחֱטָֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(ye·ḥĕ·ṭā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>