All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good, to the clean, to the unclean, to him who sacrifices, and to him who doesn’t sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; he who takes an oath, as he who fears an oath.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. But. Hebrew joins this with the preceding not, “by all that is before them. All things come alike to all, there is one event to,” and so forth Prot. Bible.—The pagans distinguished real goods and evils from those which were only apparent, like prosperity and adversity, which are determined only by the good or bad use. Saint Jerome—Thus religion looks upon virtue and vice in the former light; and riches, poverty, and so forth in the latter. It may be difficult to decide, whether, under adversity, the just have supported themselves better by virtue, or the wicked by vanity. God will manifest the truth. Calmet.—Perjured. Hebrew and Septuagint “swearer, so he that fears an oath.” Bible.