Parallel Verses
Bible in Basic English
Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?
New American Standard Bible
King James Version
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
Holman Bible
I said about laughter,
International Standard Version
"Senseless," said I concerning laughter and pleasure, "How practical is this?"
A Conservative Version
I said of laughter, It is mad, and of mirth, What does it do?
American Standard Version
I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?
Amplified
I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”
Darby Translation
I said of laughter, Madness! and of mirth, What availeth it?
Julia Smith Translation
To laughter I said, It is mad: and to gladness, What did this?
King James 2000
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What use is it?
Lexham Expanded Bible
I said of laughter, "[It is] folly!" and of pleasure, "{What does it accomplish?}"
Modern King James verseion
I said of laughter, It is madness; and of mirth, What does it do?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
insomuch that I said unto laughter, "Thou art mad," and to mirth, "What doest thou?"
NET Bible
I said of partying, "It is folly," and of self-indulgent pleasure, "It accomplishes nothing!"
New Heart English Bible
I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
The Emphasized Bible
Of laughter, I said, Madness! and, of mirth, What can it do?
Webster
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
World English Bible
I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
Youngs Literal Translation
Of laughter I said, 'Foolish!' and of mirth, 'What is this it is doing?'
Interlinear
References
Fausets
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:2
Verse Info
Context Readings
Qohelet's Investigation Of Self-Indulgence
1 I said in my heart, I will give you joy for a test; so take your pleasure--but it was to no purpose. 2 Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it? 3 I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Cross References
Proverbs 14:13
Even while laughing the heart may be sad; and after joy comes sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 7:2-6
It is better to go to the house of weeping, than to go to the house of feasting; because that is the end of every man, and the living will take it to their hearts.
Isaiah 22:12-13
And in that day the Lord, the Lord of armies, was looking for weeping, and cries of sorrow, cutting off of the hair, and putting on the clothing of grief:
Amos 6:3-6
You who put far away the evil day, causing the rule of the violent to come near;
1 Peter 4:2-4
So that you may give the rest of your lives in the flesh, not to the desires of men, but to the purpose of God.