Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 NIV
Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.-
Other Bible Translations
KJV
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
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.-
NKJV
Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?
In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider:
Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other,
So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
ESV
Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
CSB
Consider the work of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that no one can discover anything that will come after him.
NLT
Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
NIRV
Think about what God has done. Who can make straight what he has made crooked?
When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, here’s something to think about.
God has made bad times. He has also made good times. So no one can find out anything
about what’s ahead for them.
NASB
Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
On the day of prosperity be happy But on the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other. So that a person will not discover anything that will come after him.
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Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 meaning
When times are good, we’re quick to attribute it to God, and rejoice and celebrate because everything is going well. But when things take a turn, and they aren’t going our way, we often find ourselves asking, “Why me, God? Why is this happening to me?”
What if instead, we chose to trust that God knows exactly what He’s doing? What if we stopped questioning His authority and embraced the truth that everything is going according to His perfect plan? Whether times are good or bad, we can rest in the assurance that God is always at work.
In this verse, King Solomon reflects on the holiness and sovereignty of God. He reminds us of God’s unmatched power, saying that no one can straighten what God has made crooked. This means that no one can bend what He has made straight too.
When you put your trust in God to lead your life, the circumstances you face, whether smooth or challenging become opportunities to rely on His wisdom and sovereignty. Keep trusting in Him, and resist the urge to doubt or question His ways.
Prayer
Almighty and Everlasting Father,
I thank You for this day and for all the blessings You continue to pour into my life. Thank You for Your faithfulness and the countless ways You care for me. Please forgive me for the times I have questioned Your ways and doubted when things didn’t go as I hoped. Help me to trust fully in Your perfect leadership.
Lord, continue to guide me and direct my steps. Let my life unfold according to Your plans, and teach me to place my total trust in You, no matter the circumstances.
Amen.
