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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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/21_Ecc_11_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 11:9 - Enjoy Your Years" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. 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Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New King James Version</a> 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 in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Be glad, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be merry during the days of young manhood. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the sights of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Rejoice, young man, in your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant in the days of your young manhood. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the desires of your eyes, but know that God will bring you into judgment for all these things. <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Rejoice, young person, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the desire of your eyes; but know that for all of these things God will bring you to judgment. <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad 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 of these things God will bring you to judgment. <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Be cheerful and enjoy life while you are young! Do what you want and find pleasure in what you see. But don't forget that God will judge you for everything you do. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You young people should enjoy yourselves while you're young. You should let your hearts make you happy when you're young. Follow wherever your heart leads you and whatever your eyes see. But realize that God will make you give an account for all these things when he judges everyone. <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> Young people, enjoy your youth. Be happy while you are still young. Do what you want to do, and follow your heart's desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do. <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> So enjoy yourself in your youth, young man, and be encouraged during your younger days. Live as you like, consistent with your world view, but keep in mind that God will bring you to account for everything. <a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/11.htm">NET Bible</a> Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions. <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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. <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 thy eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/11.htm">World English Bible</a> 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Rejoice, O young man, in your childhood, "" And let your heart gladden you in days of your youth, "" And walk in the ways of your heart, "" And in the sight of your eyes, "" And know that for all these, God brings you into judgment. <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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. <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and thy heart shall do thee good in the days of thy youth, and go in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: and know thou, that for all these God will bring thee into judgment.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Rejoice therefore, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart be in that which is good in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes: and know that for all these God will bring thee into judgment. <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> So then, rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart remain in what is good during the days of your youth. And walk in the ways of your heart, and with the perception of your eyes. And know that, concerning all these things, God will bring you to judgment. <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New American Bible</a> Rejoice, O youth, while you are young and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart, the vision of your eyes; Yet understand regarding all this that God will bring you to judgment. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and it shall be well with you; and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things the LORD will bring you into judgment. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> In the days of your youth rejoice, young man, and it will be well for you, and walk in the ways of your heart and in the vision of your eyes, and know that in all these LORD JEHOVAH brings you into judgment<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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. <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> 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 blameless, but not in the sight of thine eyes: yet know that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=2091" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Enjoy Your Years</a> …8So 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. 9<a href="/hebrew/8055.htm" title="8055: śə·maḥ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- Rejoice, be glad. A primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. be blithe or gleesome.">Rejoice,</a> <a href="/hebrew/970.htm" title="970: bā·ḥūr (N-ms) -- A young man. Or bachur; participle passive of bachar; properly, selected, i.e. A youth.">O young man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3208.htm" title="3208: bə·yal·ḏū·ṯe·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Childhood, youth. Abstractly from yeled; boyhood.">while you are young,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">and let your heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/3190.htm" title="3190: wî·ṭî·ḇə·ḵā (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf-3ms:: 2ms) -- To be good, well, glad, or pleasing. A primitive root; to be make well, literally or figuratively.">be glad</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bî·mê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">in the days</a> <a href="/hebrew/979.htm" title="979: ḇə·ḥū·rō·w·ṯe·ḵā (N-fpc:: 2ms) -- Youth. Or bchuwrowth; feminine plural of bachuwr; also bchuriym; youth.">of your youth.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: wə·hal·lêḵ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-Imp-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">Walk</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: bə·ḏar·ḵê (Prep-b:: N-cpc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">in the ways</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">of your heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/4758.htm" title="4758: ū·ḇə·mar·’ê (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Sight, appearance, vision. From ra'ah; a view; also an appearance, whether a shape, or a vision.">and in the sight</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·ne·ḵā (N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">of your eyes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: wə·ḏā‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">but know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: ’êl·leh (Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">these things</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: yə·ḇî·’ă·ḵā (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms:: 2ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">will bring you</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: bam·miš·pāṭ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Judgment. ">to judgment.</a> 10So banish sorrow from your heart, and cast off pain from your body, for youth and vigor are fleeting.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/proverbs/20-11.htm">Proverbs 20:11</a> Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright. <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a> Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-10.htm">2 Corinthians 5:10</a> For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. <a href="/romans/14-12.htm">Romans 14:12</a> So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. <a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a> Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. <a href="/psalms/62-12.htm">Psalm 62:12</a> and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds. <a href="/job/34-11.htm">Job 34:11</a> For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. <a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Jeremiah 17:10</a> I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36</a> But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. <a href="/romans/2-6.htm">Romans 2:6</a> God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” <a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">1 Peter 1:17</a> Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. <a href="/psalms/37-4.htm">Psalm 37:4</a> Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. <a href="/isaiah/3-10.htm">Isaiah 3:10-11</a> Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. <a href="/matthew/16-27.htm">Matthew 16:27</a> For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done. <a href="/revelation/22-12.htm">Revelation 22:12</a> “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Rejoice, O 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 you, that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.rejoice<a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">1 Kings 18:27</a> And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.<a href="/1_kings/22-15.htm">1 Kings 22:15</a> So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.<a href="/luke/15-12.htm">Luke 15:12,13</a> And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living… in thy youth<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1</a> Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;<a href="/1_kings/18-12.htm">1 Kings 18:12</a> And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.<a href="/lamentations/3-27.htm">Lamentations 3:27</a> It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.walk<a href="/numbers/15-30.htm">Numbers 15:30</a> But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.<a href="/numbers/22-32.htm">Numbers 22:32</a> And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:<a href="/deuteronomy/29-19.htm">Deuteronomy 29:19</a> And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:in the sight<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:10</a> And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.<a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a> And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.<a href="/genesis/6-2.htm">Genesis 6:2</a> That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.know<a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17</a> I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:14</a> For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.<a href="/psalms/50-4.htm">Psalm 50:4-6</a> He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-3.htm">Cheer</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-21.htm">Childhood</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-9.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-7.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-5.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-19.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-6.htm">Impulses</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-6.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">Manhood</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-7.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-8.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-8.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-15.htm">Young</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/9-2.htm">Cheer</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Childhood</a> <a href="/songs/2-7.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/songs/1-6.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/songs/1-8.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-4.htm">Impulses</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/hosea/12-3.htm">Manhood</a> <a href="/songs/1-16.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/songs/1-4.htm">Rejoice</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-3.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/songs/3-2.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/songs/1-3.htm">Young</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 11</div>1. <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">directions for charity</a> 7. <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-7.htm">death in life and the day of judgment</a> 9. <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">in the days of youth</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/11.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/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Rejoice, O young man, while you are young This phrase encourages the enjoyment of youth, a time often associated with vitality and opportunity. In biblical context, youth is seen as a period of potential and growth. The Bible frequently acknowledges the vigor of youth, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/20-29.htm">Proverbs 20:29</a>, which contrasts the glory of young men with the splendor of old age. The call to rejoice is not a license for reckless living but an invitation to appreciate the blessings of youth within the boundaries of godly wisdom.and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth The heart in biblical terms often represents the center of emotions and desires. This phrase suggests that young people should find joy and satisfaction in their youthful days. Culturally, the heart was seen as the seat of decision-making, and this encouragement aligns with the biblical theme of finding joy in God's creation, as seen in <a href="/psalms/37-4.htm">Psalm 37:4</a>, which advises delighting in the Lord to receive the desires of one's heart.Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes This phrase acknowledges the natural inclination of young people to follow their desires and pursue what they see as appealing. However, it also serves as a reminder of the need for discernment. The Bible often warns against following one's heart without guidance, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>, which describes the heart as deceitful. The phrase suggests a balance between enjoying life and maintaining awareness of spiritual and moral responsibilities.but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment This serves as a sobering reminder that all actions, even those taken in youth, are subject to divine judgment. The concept of judgment is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing accountability before God. <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:14</a> reinforces this by stating that God will bring every deed into judgment. This phrase underscores the importance of living a life that honors God, even in the freedom of youth, as ultimately, all will be evaluated by God's righteous standards.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_young_man.htm">The Young Man</a> Represents youth and the vigor, enthusiasm, and potential that come with it. The verse addresses the young, encouraging them to enjoy life but with a reminder of accountability. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The ultimate judge who will hold everyone accountable for their actions. This highlights the divine oversight over human life and decisions. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a> Refers to the divine evaluation of one's actions. It serves as a reminder that while freedom is given, it comes with responsibility.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/e/enjoyment_with_responsibility.htm">Enjoyment with Responsibility</a> Youth is a time for joy and exploration, but it should be balanced with an awareness of God's standards and future accountability. <a href="/topical/h/heart_and_eyes.htm">Heart and Eyes</a> While following one's heart and desires, it is crucial to ensure they align with God's will and righteousness. <a href="/topical/d/divine_accountability.htm">Divine Accountability</a> Every action and decision will be brought before God. This should inspire a life lived with integrity and purpose. <a href="/topical/b/balance_of_freedom_and_judgment.htm">Balance of Freedom and Judgment</a> The freedom to choose and enjoy life comes with the responsibility of making choices that honor God. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> Keeping an eternal perspective helps in making wise decisions that are pleasing to God and beneficial in the long run.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 11</a> <a href="/q/is_king_solomon_considered_saved.htm">Is King Solomon considered saved?</a> <a href="/q/does_eccl._9_11_challenge_god's_control.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:11 says events happen by 'time and chance,' so does that undermine the idea of God's sovereign control?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_psalm_94_align_with_swift_judgment.htm">Psalm 94:3-4 depicts the wicked flourishing and boasting; how does this align with other biblical claims that God swiftly judges evil?</a> <a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) The beginning of the last chapter would more conveniently have been placed here than where the division is actually made. It is hard to interpret the judgment spoken of in this verse of anything but future judgment, when we bear in mind how much of the book is taken up with the complaint that retribution does not take place in this life.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth. Koheleth continues to inculcate the duty of rational enjoyment. "In youth" is during youth; not in the exercise of, or by reason of, thy fresh, unimpaired powers. The author urges his hearers to begin betimes to enjoy the blessing with which God surrounds them. Youth is the season of innocent, unalloyed pleasure; then, if ever, casting aside all tormenting anxiety concerning an unknown future, one may, as it is called, enjoy life. Let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth. Let the lightness of thy heart show itself in thy bearing and manner, even as it is said in Proverbs (<a href="/proverbs/15-13.htm">Proverbs 15:13</a>), "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance." Walk in the ways of thine heart (comp. <a href="/isaiah/57-17.htm">Isaiah 57:17</a>). Where the impulses and thoughts of thy heart lead thee. The wording looks as if the personal identity, the "I," and the thought were distinct. We have a similar severance in <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:25</a>, only there the personality directs the thought, not the thought the "I," And in the sight of thine eyes. Follow after that on which thy eyes fix their regard (<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:10</a>); for, as Job says (<a href="/job/31-7.htm">Job 31:7</a>), "The heart walketh after the eyes." The Septuagint, in deference to the supposed requirements of strict morality, has (at least according to the text of some manuscripts) modified the received reading, translating the passage thus: Καὶ περιπάτει ἐν ὁδοῖς καρδίας σου ἄμωμος καὶ μὴ ἐν ὁράσει ὀφθαλμῶν, "And walk in the ways of thine heart blameless, and not in the sight of thine eyes." But μὴ is omitted by A, C, S. Others besides the Seventy have felt doubts about the bearing of the passage, as though it recommended either unbridled license in youth, or at any rate an unhallowed Epicureanism. To counteract the supposed evil teaching, some have credited Koheleth with stern irony. He is not recommending pleasure, say they, but warning against it. "Go on your way," he cries, "do as you list, sow your wild oats, live dissolutely, but remember that retribution will some day overtake you." But the counsel is seriously intended, and is quite consistent with many other passages which teach the duty of enjoying life as man's lot and part (see <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:24</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13, 22</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:18</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:15</a>, etc.). The seeming opposition between the recommendation here and in <a href="/numbers/15-39.htm">Numbers 15:39</a> is easily reconciled. The injunction in the Pentateuch, which was connected with a ceremonial observance, ran thus: "Remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye go not about after your own heart, and your own eyes, after which ye used to go a-whoring." Here unlawful pleasures, contrary to the commandments, are forbidden; Ecclesiastes urges the pursuit of innocent pleasures, such as will stand scrutiny. Hoelemann, quoted by Wright, observes that this verse is the origin of a famous student-song of Germany, a stanza or two of which we may cite - "Gaudeamus igitur, juvenes dum sumus; Post exactam juventutem, post melestam senectutem, Nos habebit humus .... "Vita nostra brevis est, brevi finietur, Venit mors velociter, rapit nes atrociter, Nemini parcotur." It is not Epicureanism, even in a modified form, that is here encouraged. For moderate and lawful pleasure Koheleth has always uttered his sanction, but the pleasure is to be such as God allows. This is to be accepted with all gratitude in the present, as the future is wholly beyond our ken and our control; it is all that is placed in our power, and it is enough to make life more than endurable. And then to temper unmixed joy, to prove that he is not recommending mere sensuality, to correct any wrong impression which the previous utterances may have conveyed, the writer adds another thought, a somber reflection which shows the religious conclusion to which he is working up. But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment (mishpat). It has been doubted what is meant by "judgment," whether present or future, men's or God's. It has been taken to mean - God will make thy excesses prove scourges, by bringing on thee sickness, poverty, a miserable old age; or these distresses come as the natural consequences of youthful sins; or obloquy shall follow thee, and thou shall meet with deserved censure from thy fellow-men. But every one must feel that the solemn ending of this paragraph points to something more grave and important than any such results as those mentioned above, something that is concerned with that indefinable future which is ever looming in the dim horizon. Nothing satisfies the expected conclusion but a reference to the eternal judgment in the world beyond the grave. Shadowy and incomplete as was Koheleth's view of this great assize, his sense of God's justice in the face of the anomalies of human life was so strong that he can unhesitatingly appeal to the conviction of a coming inquisition, as a motive for the guidance of action and conduct. That in other passages he constantly apprehends earthly retribution, as the Pentateuch taught, and as his countrymen had learned to expect (see <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:26</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17, 18</a>), is no argument that he is not here rising to a higher view. Rather, the fact that the doctrine of temporal reward and punishment is found by experience to fail in many cases (comp. <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:14</a>) has forced him to state his conclusion that this life is not the end of-everything, and that there is another existence in which actions shall be tried, justice done, retribution awarded. The statement is brief, for he knew nothing more than the fact, and could add nothing to it. His conception of the soul's condition in Sheol (see <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10</a>) seems to point to some other state or period for this final judgment; but whether a resurrection is to precede this awful trial is left in uncertainty here, as elsewhere in the Old Testament. Cheyne and some other critics consider this last clause to be an interpolation, because it appears to militate against previous utterances; but this argument is unreasonable, as the paragraph comes in quite naturally as the needed conclusion, and without it the section would halt and be incomplete. A similar allusion is contained in the epilogue (<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:14</a>). A correcter, who desired to remove all seeming contradictions and discrepancies from the work, would not have been satisfied with inserting this gloss, but would have displayed his remedial measures in other places. Of this proceeding, however, no traces are discernible by an unprejudiced eye. <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Rejoice, שְׂמַ֧ח (śə·maḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8055.htm">Strong's 8055: </a> To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome O young man, בָּח֣וּר (bā·ḥūr) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_970.htm">Strong's 970: </a> Selected, a youth while you are young, בְּיַלְדוּתֶ֗יךָ (bə·yal·ḏū·ṯe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3208.htm">Strong's 3208: </a> Childhood, youth and let your heart לִבְּךָ֙ (lib·bə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre be glad וִֽיטִֽיבְךָ֤ (wî·ṭî·ḇə·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3190.htm">Strong's 3190: </a> To be good, well, glad, or pleasing in the days בִּימֵ֣י (bî·mê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day of your youth. בְחוּרוֹתֶ֔ךָ (ḇə·ḥū·rō·w·ṯe·ḵā) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_979.htm">Strong's 979: </a> Youth Walk וְהַלֵּךְ֙ (wə·hal·lêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk in the ways בְּדַרְכֵ֣י (bə·ḏar·ḵê) Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action of your heart לִבְּךָ֔ (lib·bə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre and in the sight וּבְמַרְאֵ֖י (ū·ḇə·mar·’ê) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4758.htm">Strong's 4758: </a> Sight, appearance, vision of your eyes, עֵינֶ֑יךָ (‘ê·ne·ḵā) Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain but know וְדָ֕ע (wə·ḏā‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know that כִּ֧י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction for עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every these [things] אֵ֛לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> These, those God הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative will bring you יְבִֽיאֲךָ֥ (yə·ḇî·’ă·ḵā) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to judgment. בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃ (bam·miš·pāṭ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice young man in your youth (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 11:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 11:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 11:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 11:10" /></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>