Parallel Verses
King James 2000
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.
A Conservative Version
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as far as light excels 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.
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 a man do that comes after the king? even that which has been already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. 14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walks in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one fate happens to them all.
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:11-12
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
Psalm 119:105
[Nun] Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130
The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple.
Proverbs 4:5-7
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither turn away from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:18-19
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 16:16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city.
Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then said I, 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 shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves him not.
Matthew 6:23
But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Luke 11:34-35
The lamp of the body is the eye: therefore when your eye is sound, your whole body also is full of light; but when your eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light: