Parallel Verses
A Conservative Version
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as far as light excels darkness.
New American Standard Bible
And I saw that
King James Version
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
Holman Bible
And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness.
International Standard Version
I concluded that wisdom is more useful than foolishness, just as light is more useful than darkness.
American Standard Version
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
Amplified
Then I saw that [even secular] wisdom [that brings sorrow] is better than [the pleasures of] folly and self-indulgence as light excels darkness.
Bible in Basic English
Then I saw that wisdom is better than foolish ways--as the light is better than the dark.
Darby Translation
And I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as light excelleth darkness.
Julia Smith Translation
And I saw there is profit to wisdom more than to folly, as the excellence of the light above darkness.
King James 2000
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
Lexham Expanded Bible
I realized that wisdom has an advantage over folly, just as light has an advantage over darkness.
Modern King James verseion
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
And I saw that wisdom excelleth foolishness, as far as light doth darkness.
NET Bible
I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:
New Heart English Bible
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
The Emphasized Bible
Then saw, I, that wisdom doth excel folly, - as far as light excelleth darkness.
Webster
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
World English Bible
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
Youngs Literal Translation
And I saw that there is an advantage to wisdom above folly, like the advantage of the light above the darkness.
Themes
Folly » Of men » General references to
Light » Described as » Useful and precious
Wisdom » True wisdom, general references to » The preciousness of
Interlinear
Ra'ah
Yithrown
יתרון
Yithrown
Usage: 10
References
Watsons
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:13
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Living Must Abandon The Work Of Their Hands To Others At Death
12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom and madness and folly. For what [can] the man [do] who comes after the king? [Even] that which has been done long ago. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as far as light excels darkness. 14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:11-12
Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.
Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and light to my path.
Psalm 119:130
The opening of thy words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
Proverbs 4:5-7
Get wisdom, get understanding. Do not forget, nor decline from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:18-19
But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.
Proverbs 16:16
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.
Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Ecclesiastes 9:18
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Ecclesiastes 11:7
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.
Malachi 3:18-2
Then ye shall return and discern between the righteous man and the wicked man, between him who serves God and him who does not serve him.
Matthew 6:23
But if thine eye is bad, thy whole body will be dark. If therefore the light that is in thee is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Luke 11:34-35
The lamp of thy body is the eye. Therefore, when thine eye is sound, thy whole body is also bright, but when it is bad, thy body is also dark.
Ephesians 5:8
For ye were once darkness, but now light in Lord. Walk as children of light