But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
Neither shall he prolong - not a contradiction to Ecclesiastes 8:12. The 'prolonging' of his days there is only seeming, not real. Taking into account his eternal existence, his present days, however seemingly long, are really short. God's delay (Ecclesiastes 8:11) exists only in man's short-sighted view. It gives scope to the sinner to repent, or else to fill up his full measure of guilt; and so, in either case, tends to the final vindication of God's ways. It gives exercise to the faith, patience, and perseverance of saints.
Which are as a shadow - (Ecclesiastes 6:12; Job 8:9.)