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20 (A)Both go to the same place; both were made from the dust, and to the dust they both return. 21 Who knows[a] if the life breath of mortals goes upward and the life breath of beasts goes earthward?

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Footnotes

  1. 3:21 Who knows: the author presumes a negative answer: “No one knows.” In place of speculation on impossible questions, the author counsels enjoyment of what is possible (cf. v. 22; but see also 2:10–11).

20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.(A) 21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward(B) and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”

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14 If he were to set his mind to it,
    gather to himself his spirit and breath,
15 All flesh would perish together,
    and mortals return to dust.(A)

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14 If it were his intention
    and he withdrew his spirit[a](A) and breath,(B)
15 all humanity would perish(C) together
    and mankind would return to the dust.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 34:14 Or Spirit