Parallel Verses
The Emphasized Bible
Of laughter, I said, Madness! and, of mirth, What can it do?
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?”
Bible in Basic English
Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?
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?"
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 Said, I, in my heart, Come now! I will prove thee with gladness, and look thou on blessedness, - but lo! even that, was vanity. 2 Of laughter, I said, Madness! and, of mirth, What can it do? 3 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.
Cross References
Proverbs 14:13
Even, in laughter, the heart may be in pain, and, the latter end of gladness, be grief.
Ecclesiastes 7:2-6
Better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of banqueting, for, that, is the end of all men, - and, the living, should take it to his heart.
Isaiah 22:12-13
And, when My Lord Yahweh of hosts called in that day, - for weeping, and for lamentation, and for shaving bare and for girding with sackcloth,
Amos 6:3-6
Ye who are putting far away the day of calamity, - but bringing near the abode of violence:
1 Peter 4:2-4
To the end that, no longer, in men's covetings, but in God's will, ye may live, the still remaining time.