Parallel Verses

Holman Bible

I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish?”

New American Standard Bible

I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”

King James Version

I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

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?"

The Emphasized Bible

Of laughter, I said, Madness! and, of mirth, What can it do?

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

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
שׂחק שׂחוק 
S@chowq 
Usage: 15

It is mad
הלל 
Halal 
Usage: 165

and of mirth
שׂמחה 
Simchah 
Usage: 93

זה 
Zoh 
Usage: 12

References

Verse Info

Context Readings

Qohelet's Investigation Of Self-Indulgence

1 I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. 2 I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish?” 3 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.


Cross References

Proverbs 14:13

Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.

Ecclesiastes 7:2-6

It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
since that is the end of all mankind,
and the living should take it to heart.

Isaiah 22:12-13

On that day the Lord God of Hosts
called for weeping, for wailing, for shaven heads,
and for the wearing of sackcloth.

Amos 6:3-6

You dismiss any thought of the evil day
and bring in a reign of violence.

1 Peter 4:2-4

in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.

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Word Concordance

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