What does Ecclesiastes 3 say about a time for everything?

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 in the King James Version reads:

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

The opening eight verses of Ecclesiastes 3 form a poem describing seasons and pairs of opposing activities in human life. Read it in context at Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, or the full chapter at Ecclesiastes 3.

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  • · Ecclesiastes 3 KJV a time for every purpose

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