Ecclesiastes 11:9 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Delight fully in the strength of youth, yet remember that God will hold us accountable for how we live.
What Does Ecclesiastes 11:9 Mean?
The Preacher addresses the young directly: rejoice, let your heart be glad, follow what is before you. Youth and its vigor are genuine gifts to be enjoyed without false guilt.
Yet the same breath sounds a steadying word: God will bring every choice into judgment. Joy and accountability are not enemies. To know that our days matter to God lends them weight and direction, turning freedom into something worthy. Gladness lived under his loving gaze becomes deeper and truer, for it is offered to the One who gave us life and who will one day welcome an honest reckoning of it.
Ecclesiastes 11:9 in the Original Language
mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט), 'judgment' -- a just verdict or setting-right, here God's final assessment of a life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 11:9
What does Ecclesiastes 11:9 mean?
Delight fully in the strength of youth, yet remember that God will hold us accountable for how we live.