Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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
I said of laughter: It is madness. And of pleasure: What does it do?
3 I explored with my
Cross References
Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker! Strong drink leads to brawls. He who is intoxicated by it is not wise.
Ecclesiastes 1:17
I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I know that this also is a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 6:12
Who knows what is good for man in this life? Are all the days of his vain life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after his existence under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Respect God, and obey his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.
Genesis 47:9
Jacob answered: My life of wandering has lasted a hundred and thirty years. Those years have been few and difficult, unlike the long years of my ancestors in their wanderings.
1 Samuel 25:36
When Abigail came to Nabal, he was holding a banquet in his home. It was like a king's banquet. He was in a good mood and very drunk, so she did not tell him anything until dawn.
Job 14:14
If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my change (release) to come.
Psalm 90:9-12
Indeed, all our days slip away because of your fury. We live out our years like one long sigh.
Proverbs 23:29-35
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has discord? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
Proverbs 31:4-5
It is not for kings, O Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to desire strong drink.
Ecclesiastes 2:24
There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink, and delight in his work. This also I saw was from the hand of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to rejoice and to do good works in life.
Ecclesiastes 7:18
It is good that you should take hold of this and also from this not withdraw your hand, for he who respects God will come forth from them all.
Ecclesiastes 7:25
I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom. I looked for the explanation, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness.
Matthew 6:24
You cannot serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other. You will be loyal to one master and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (wealth) (material possessions).
2 Corinthians 6:15-17
And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk with wine, for that is a public act of violence, but be filled with the Spirit.