Ecclesiastes 3:12

New English Translation

¹²I have concluded^[a] that there is nothing better for people^[b]
than^[c] to be happy and to enjoy
themselves^[d] as long as they live,

Ecclesiastes 3:12 tn Heb “I know.”
Ecclesiastes 3:12 tn Heb “for them”; the referent (people, i.e., mankind) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 tn Qoheleth uses the exceptive particle כִּי אִם (ki ʾim, “except”) to identify the only exception to the futility within man’s life (BDB 474 s.v. כִּי 2).
Ecclesiastes 3:12 tn Heb “to do good.” The phrase לַעֲשׂוֹת טוֹב (laʿasot tov) functions idiomatically for “to experience [or see] happiness [or joy].” The verb עָשַׂה (ʿasah) probably denotes “to acquire; to obtain” (BDB 795 s.v. עָשַׂה II.7), and טוֹב (tov) means “good; pleasure; happiness,” e.g., Eccl 2:24; 3:13; 5:17 (BDB 375 s.v. טוֹב 1).

New English Translation (NET)