Ecclesiastes 3:12
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Cross-reference
Ecclesiastes 3:22 repeats the same conclusion as 3:12 — that enjoyment and doing good is the best under the sun, given life's limitations.
In Ecclesiastes 9:7-9, the same author expands on enjoying life's simple pleasures as God's gift.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 similarly says nothing is better than eating, drinking, and finding satisfaction in work — a direct restatement of 3:12's theme.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 repeats the same wisdom: eating, drinking, and satisfaction in toil is one's lot from God.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 directly commends enjoyment of life, eating, drinking, and gladness — a clear parallel to 3:12.
Ecclesiastes 11:8 urges enjoyment of all one's years, echoing 3:12's call to be happy, while reminding of mortality.
Ecclesiastes 6:9 advises contentment with what you see over longing, complementing the call to be happy in the present.
Philippians 4:4-9 exhorts rejoicing and focusing on virtues — a strong parallel to the call to enjoy life here.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 commands constant rejoicing — a direct echo of the enjoyment encouraged here.
Proverbs 21:15 links justice to joy for the righteous, reinforcing Ecclesiastes 3:12's connection between doing good and happiness.
Galatians 6:10 urges doing good to all, directly matching the 'do good' command in Ecclesiastes 3:12.
Psalm 37:3 encourages trusting God and doing good, leading to security — a parallel call to the 'do good' in Ecclesiastes 3:12.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 commands doing good to others — a practical application of the 'do good' in Ecclesiastes 3:12.
1 Timothy 6:18 urges doing good and generosity — a specific outworking of the call to 'do good' in Ecclesiastes 3:12.
1 Chronicles 29:22 describes eating and drinking with great joy before the Lord, echoing Ecclesiastes 3:12's call to find happiness in life.
In 1 Timothy 6:8, contentment with basic necessities parallels Ecclesiastes' theme of enjoying life's simple gifts.