Parallel Verses
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
So I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, to apply my mind unto wisdom, and to comprehend foolishness until the time that among all the things which are under the Sun, I might see what were best for men to do, so long as they live under heaven.
New American Standard Bible
I explored with my
King James Version
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
Holman Bible
I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life
International Standard Version
I decided to indulge in wine, while still remaining committed to wisdom. I also tried to indulge in foolishness, just enough to determine whether it was good for human beings under heaven given the short time of their lives.
A Conservative Version
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine (my heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom), and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of th
American Standard Version
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.
Amplified
I explored with my mind how to gratify myself with wine while [at the same time] having my mind remain steady and guide me wisely; and how to take control of foolishness, until I could see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.
Bible in Basic English
I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Darby Translation
I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Julia Smith Translation
I examined in my heart to draw my flesh with wine, and my heart led in wisdom; and to lay hold upon folly till that I shall see what this good to the sons of man which they will do under the heavens the number of the days of their life.
King James 2000
I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men, which they should do under heaven all the days of their life.
Lexham Expanded Bible
I also {explored} {the effects of indulging my flesh} with wine. My mind guiding me with wisdom, {I investigated} folly so that I might discover what [is] good under heaven for {humans} to do {during the days of their lives}.
Modern King James verseion
I sought in my heart to drag my flesh with wine, yet leading my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, until I might see where the good for the sons of men might be, what they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.
NET Bible
I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.
New Heart English Bible
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.
The Emphasized Bible
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.
Webster
I sought in my heart, to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
World English Bible
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.
Youngs Literal Translation
I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where is this -- the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.
Interlinear
Leb
Basar
Nahag
Leb
Ra'ah
Towb
References
Morish
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:3
Verse Info
Context Readings
Qohelet's Investigation Of Self-Indulgence
2 insomuch that I said unto laughter, "Thou art mad," and to mirth, "What doest thou?" 3 So I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, to apply my mind unto wisdom, and to comprehend foolishness until the time that among all the things which are under the Sun, I might see what were best for men to do, so long as they live under heaven. 4 I made gorgeous fair works. I builded me houses, and planted vineyards.
Cross References
Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a voluptuous thing, and drunkenness causes sedition; whoso delighteth therein, shall never be wise.
Ecclesiastes 1:17
for thereunto I applied my mind: that I might know what were wisdom and understanding, what were error and foolishness. And I perceived that this also was but a vexation of mind:
Ecclesiastes 6:12
For who knoweth what is good for man living, in the days of his vain life, which is but a shadow? Or, who will tell a man what shall happen after him under the Sun?
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of all things: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for that toucheth all men;
Genesis 47:9
And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, "The days of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years. Few and evil have the days of my life been, and have not attained unto the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimages."
1 Samuel 25:36
And when Abigail came to Nabal, behold, he held a feast in his house like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, and he was drunk a good. Wherefore she told him nought, neither little nor more, until the morrow day.
Job 14:14
May a dead man live again? All the days of this my pilgrimage am I looking, till my changing shall come.
Psalm 90:9-12
For when thou art angry, all our days are gone; we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.
Proverbs 23:29-35
Where is woe? Where is sorrow? Where is strife? Where is brawling? Where are wounds without cause? Where be red eyes?
Proverbs 31:4-5
O Lemuel, give kings no wine, give kings and princes no strong drink;
Ecclesiastes 2:24
Is it not better then for a man to eat and drink, and his soul to be merry in his labour? Yea I saw that this also was a gift of God:
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
So I perceived, that in these things there is nothing better for a man, then to be merry and to do well so long as he liveth.
Ecclesiastes 7:18
It is good for thee to take hold of this, and not to let that go out of thy hand. For he that feareth God shall escape them all.
Ecclesiastes 7:25
I applied my mind also to knowledge, and to seek out science, wisdom and understanding: to know the foolishness of the ungodly, and the error of doting fools.
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: For either he shall hate the one, and love the other; or else he shall lean to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
2 Corinthians 6:15-17
What concord hath Christ with Belial? Either, what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess: but be fulfilled with the spirit,