Ecclesiastes 8:15

King James Version (KJV)

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

Translations

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Amplified Bible

Then I commended enjoyment, because a man has no better thing under the sun [without God] than to eat and to drink and to be joyful, for that will remain with him in his toil through the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - American Standard Version

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Bible in Basic English

So I gave praise to joy, because there is nothing better for a man to do under the sun than to take meat and drink and be happy; for that will be with him in his work all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Darby Bible

And I commended mirth, because there is nothing better for man under the sun than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God hath given him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - English Standard Version

And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - King James Version

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - La Biblia de las Americas

Por tanto yo alabé el placer, porque no hay nada bueno para el hombre bajo el sol sino comer, beber y divertirse, y esto le acompañará en sus afanes en los dìas de su vida que Dios le haya dado bajo el sol.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Message

So, I’m all for just going ahead and having a good time—the best possible. The only earthly good men and women can look forward to is to eat and drink well and have a good time—compensation for the struggle for survival these few years God gives us on earth.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - New American Standard Bible

So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils {throughout} the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - World English Bible

Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that will accompany him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Young's Living Translation

And I have praised mirth because there is no good to man under the sun except to eat and to drink, and to rejoice, and it remaineth with him of his labour the days of his life that God hath given to him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Additional Comments

We also see this attitude in the man Jesus condemns in Luke 12:19, who wants to eat, drink, and be merry.
It is okay to be merry, but not to neglect God in the process. Here that merriment is the sole source of pleasure, instead of pleasure with God.
The Glory of God and our passion to be satisfied and happy should not be at odds (see Psalms 36:8, 16:11, Jer 31:12-14). They are one passion. As John Piper quotes, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him" God finds no pleasure in those who serve him out of gloomy duty but he rejoices and is supremely glorified in the person who finds the greatest delight in doing His will. A Christian should cry like David, "Your law O Lord is my delight." God is only glorified in those who delight in Him, those who do not love God but serve Him out of mere duty Jesus says he will spit out of his mouth.
The question comes, "How can selfish pursuit of pleasure be glorifying to God?" An example will make it more clear. Say I have a girlfriend and our one year anniversary is coming up. I show up at her door with flowers and she comes to the door, smiles, and asks me, "Why did you?" I answer "It's my duty." What honor or glory does that bring to her? I'm pretty sure I'd get smacked and there would be no two year anniversary. But let's back it up and say I show up at the door with flowers and she comes to the door, smiles, and asks me again, "Why did you?" This time I answer, "I can't help myself. I love buying flowers for you! I've made reservations for a restaurant and I can't wait to spend my evening with you because I find all my pleasure in being with you!" What girl would say "You are so selfish!"? This answer glorifies her and honors her to no end. And so it is with God. When I get to heaven and God asks me "Why are you here?" What glory does it bring to God if I answer "Cause I'm supposed to be" But O how much glory it brings to God when we answer "O Lord, at your right hand were pleasures evermore. Where else could I have gone? For your steadfast love was better than life and your law was my delight" This is the answer that God will rejoice and be glorified in.

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