Ecclesiastes 3:6

BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

“a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,”

What this verse means

A short, plain-language explanation of Ecclesiastes 3:6 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.

Compare translations
BSBPD

“a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,”

Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)
KJVPD

“A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;”

King James Version · Public Domain
ASVPD

“a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;”

American Standard Version · Public Domain
YLTPD

“A time to seek, And a time to destroy. A time to keep, And a time to cast away.”

Young's Literal Translation · Public Domain
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Cross references

Other passages that echo Ecclesiastes 3:6 — 20 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  1. Genesis 30:30Indeed, you had very little before my arrival, but now your wealth has increased many times over. The LORD has blessed you wherever I set foot. But now, when may I also provide for my own household?”
  2. Genesis 31:18and he drove all his livestock before him, along with all the possessions he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land in Canaan.
  3. Exodus 12:35Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing.
  4. Deuteronomy 8:17You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”
  5. 2 Kings 5:26But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?
  6. 2 Kings 7:15And they tracked them as far as the Jordan, and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in haste. So the scouts returned and told the king.
  7. 2 Kings 8:9So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
  8. Psalms 112:9He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
  9. Ecclesiastes 11:1Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
  10. Isaiah 2:20In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold— the idols they made to worship.
  11. Jonah 1:5The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
  12. Matthew 16:25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
  13. Matthew 19:29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
  14. Mark 8:35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.
  15. Mark 10:28Peter began to say to Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You.”
  16. Luke 9:24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
  17. Acts 27:19On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
  18. Acts 27:38After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
  19. Philippians 3:7But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
  20. Hebrews 10:34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.

Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).

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