Parallel Verses
A Conservative Version
All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.
New American Standard Bible
I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, “I will be wise,”
King James Version
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Holman Bible
I have tested all this by wisdom. I resolved, “I will be wise,” but it was beyond me.
International Standard Version
I used my wisdom to test all of this. I said, "I want to be wise," but it was beyond me.
American Standard Version
All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Amplified
I have tested all this with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise [independently of God],” but true wisdom was far from me.
Bible in Basic English
All this I have put to the test by wisdom; I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.
Darby Translation
All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Julia Smith Translation
All this I proved by wisdom: I said I will be wise, and it was removed far off from me.
King James 2000
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Lexham Expanded Bible
All this I have tested with wisdom. I said, "I will be wise!" but {it was beyond my grasp}.
Modern King James verseion
All this I have proved by wisdom; I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
All these things have I proved because of wisdom: For I thought to be wise, but she went farther from me than she was before;
NET Bible
I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, "I am determined to comprehend this" -- but it was beyond my grasp.
New Heart English Bible
All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise;" but it was far from me.
The Emphasized Bible
All this, have I proved by wisdom, - I said, I will be wise, but, that, was far from me.
Webster
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
World English Bible
All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise;" but it was far from me.
Youngs Literal Translation
All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, 'I am wise,' and it is far from me.
Topics
Interlinear
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 7:23
Verse Info
Context Readings
Absolute Wisdom Is Unattainable
22 For many times also thine own heart knows that thou thyself likewise have cursed others. 23 All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me. 24 That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?
Cross References
Romans 1:22
Professing to be wise, they became foolish,
Genesis 3:5
For God knows that in the day ye eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
1 Kings 3:11-12
And God said to him, Because thou have asked this thing, and have not asked for thyself long life, neither have asked riches for thyself, nor have asked the life of thine enemies, but have asked for thyself understanding to discern
1 Kings 11:1-8
Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites,
1 Corinthians 1:20
Where is a wise man? Where is a scholar? Where is a researcher of this age? Did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?