Parallel Verses
Youngs Literal Translation
All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, 'I am wise,' and it is far from me.
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.
Lexham Expanded Bible
All this I have tested with wisdom. I said, "I will be wise!" but {it was beyond my grasp}.
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.
Topics
Interlinear
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 7:23
Verse Info
Context Readings
Absolute Wisdom Is Unattainable
22 For many times also hath thy heart known that thou thyself also hast reviled others. 23 All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, 'I am wise,' and it is far from me. 24 Far off is that which hath been, and deep, deep, who doth find it?
Cross References
Romans 1:22
professing to be wise, they were made fools,
Genesis 3:5
for God doth know that in the day of your eating of it -- your eyes have been opened, and ye have been as God, knowing good and evil.'
1 Kings 3:11-12
and God saith unto him, 'Because that thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thee many days, nor asked for thee riches, nor asked the life of thine enemies, and hast asked for thee discernment to understand judgment,
1 Kings 11:1-8
And king Solomon hath loved many strange women, and the daughter of Pharaoh, females of Moab, Ammon, Edom, Zidon, and of the Hittites,
1 Corinthians 1:20
where is the wise? where the scribe? where a disputer of this age? did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?