Parallel Verses

NET Bible

I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.

New American Standard Bible

I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives.

King James Version

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

Holman Bible

I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life with wine and how to grasp folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

International Standard Version

I decided to indulge in wine, while still remaining committed to wisdom. I also tried to indulge in foolishness, just enough to determine whether it was good for human beings under heaven given the short time of their lives.

A Conservative Version

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine (my heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom), and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of th

American Standard Version

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.

Amplified

I explored with my mind how to gratify myself with wine while [at the same time] having my mind remain steady and guide me wisely; and how to take control of foolishness, until I could see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

Bible in Basic English

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.

Darby Translation

I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.

Julia Smith Translation

I examined in my heart to draw my flesh with wine, and my heart led in wisdom; and to lay hold upon folly till that I shall see what this good to the sons of man which they will do under the heavens the number of the days of their life.

King James 2000

I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men, which they should do under heaven all the days of their life.

Lexham Expanded Bible

I also {explored} {the effects of indulging my flesh} with wine. My mind guiding me with wisdom, {I investigated} folly so that I might discover what [is] good under heaven for {humans} to do {during the days of their lives}.

Modern King James verseion

I sought in my heart to drag my flesh with wine, yet leading my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, until I might see where the good for the sons of men might be, what they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

So I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, to apply my mind unto wisdom, and to comprehend foolishness until the time that among all the things which are under the Sun, I might see what were best for men to do, so long as they live under heaven.

New Heart English Bible

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

The Emphasized Bible

I sought out with my heart, to cherish with wine, my flesh, - but, my heart, was to guide with wisdom, even in laying hold of folly, until I should see which was blessedness for the sons of men, as to that which they could do, under the heavens, during the number of the days of their life.

Webster

I sought in my heart, to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

World English Bible

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

Youngs Literal Translation

I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where is this -- the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
I sought
תּוּר 
Tuwr 
Usage: 23

to give
משׁך 
Mashak 
Usage: 36

בּשׂר 
Basar 
Usage: 270

יין 
Yayin 
Usage: 140

נהג 
Nahag 
Usage: 31

with wisdom
חכמה 
Chokmah 
Usage: 149

and to lay hold
אחז 
'achaz 
Usage: 66

on folly
שׂכלוּת סכלוּת 
Cikluwth 
Usage: 7

ראה 
Ra'ah 
Usage: 1308

of men
אדם 
'adam 
Usage: 541

שׁמה שׁמים 
Shamayim 
Usage: 420

all
מספּר 
Micpar 
Usage: 132

the days
יום 
Yowm 
Usage: 2293

References

Context Readings

Qohelet's Investigation Of Self-Indulgence

2 I said of partying, "It is folly," and of self-indulgent pleasure, "It accomplishes nothing!" 3 I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives. 4 I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.



Cross References

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise.

Ecclesiastes 1:17

So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

Ecclesiastes 6:12

For no one knows what is best for a person during his life -- during the few days of his fleeting life -- for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

Genesis 47:9

Jacob said to Pharaoh, "All the years of my travels are 130. All the years of my life have been few and painful; the years of my travels are not as long as those of my ancestors."

1 Samuel 25:36

When Abigail went back to Nabal, he was holding a banquet in his house like that of the king. Nabal was having a good time and was very intoxicated. She told him absolutely nothing until morning's light.

Job 14:14

If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait until my release comes.

Psalm 90:9-12

Yes, throughout all our days we experience your raging fury; the years of our lives pass quickly, like a sigh.

Proverbs 23:29-35

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has dullness of the eyes?

Proverbs 31:4-5

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

Ecclesiastes 2:24

There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live,

Ecclesiastes 7:18

It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings.

Ecclesiastes 7:25

I tried to understand, examine, and comprehend the role of wisdom in the scheme of things, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the insanity of folly.

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

2 Corinthians 6:15-17

And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever?

Ephesians 5:18

And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain