Parallel Verses
Lexham Expanded Bible
All this I have tested with wisdom. I said, "I will be wise!" but {it was beyond my grasp}.
New American Standard Bible
I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, “I will be wise,”
King James Version
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Holman Bible
I have tested all this by wisdom. I resolved, “I will be wise,” but it was beyond me.
International Standard Version
I used my wisdom to test all of this. I said, "I want to be wise," but it was beyond me.
A Conservative Version
All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.
American Standard Version
All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Amplified
I have tested all this with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise [independently of God],” but true wisdom was far from me.
Bible in Basic English
All this I have put to the test by wisdom; I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.
Darby Translation
All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Julia Smith Translation
All this I proved by wisdom: I said I will be wise, and it was removed far off from me.
King James 2000
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Modern King James verseion
All this I have proved by wisdom; I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
All these things have I proved because of wisdom: For I thought to be wise, but she went farther from me than she was before;
NET Bible
I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, "I am determined to comprehend this" -- but it was beyond my grasp.
New Heart English Bible
All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise;" but it was far from me.
The Emphasized Bible
All this, have I proved by wisdom, - I said, I will be wise, but, that, was far from me.
Webster
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
World English Bible
All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise;" but it was far from me.
Youngs Literal Translation
All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, 'I am wise,' and it is far from me.
Topics
Interlinear
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 7:23
Verse Info
Context Readings
Absolute Wisdom Is Unattainable
22 For your heart knows that you also have cursed others many times. 23 All this I have tested with wisdom. I said, "I will be wise!" but {it was beyond my grasp}. 24 {Whatever is--it is far beyond comprehension}. Who can discover it?
Cross References
Romans 1:22
Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
Genesis 3:5
For God knows that on the day you [both] eat from it, then your eyes will be opened and you [both] shall be like gods, knowing good and evil."
1 Kings 3:11-12
And God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and you did not ask for yourself {a long life} and you did not ask riches for yourself and you did not ask for the life of your enemies, but you have asked for yourself {the ability to make wise judgments};
1 Kings 11:1-8
King Solomon loved many foreign women: the daughter of Pharaoh, Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, Hittite;
1 Corinthians 1:20
Where [is] the wise person? Where [is] the scribe? Where [is] the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?