Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
When I dedicated myself to experience wisdom and to observe what is undertaken on earth even going without sleep day and night
New American Standard Bible
When I
King James Version
When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
Holman Bible
When I applied my mind to know wisdom
A Conservative Version
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is he who sees sleep with his eyes neither day nor night),
American Standard Version
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes),
Amplified
When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to see the activities [of mankind] that take place upon the earth—how some men seem to sleep neither day nor night—
Bible in Basic English
When I gave my mind to the knowledge of wisdom and to seeing the business which is done on the earth (and there are those whose eyes see not sleep by day or by night),
Darby Translation
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes),
Julia Smith Translation
According as I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to see the labor that was done upon the earth: for also in the day and in the night he saw not sleep with his eyes.
King James 2000
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is one who neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes:)
Lexham Expanded Bible
I applied my mind to know wisdom and to understand the business that is done on earth--how neither day nor night one's eyes see sleep.
Modern King James verseion
When I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth; for neither day nor night do men see sleep with their eyes.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
And so I applied my mind to learn wisdom, and to know the travail that is in the world; and that of such a fashion that I suffered not my eyes to sleep neither day nor night.
NET Bible
When I tried to gain wisdom and to observe the activity on earth -- even though it prevents anyone from sleeping day or night --
New Heart English Bible
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes),
The Emphasized Bible
When I gave my heart, to know wisdom, and to consider the business that was done upon the earth, then surely, by day and by night, there was one who suffered not his eyes, to sleep.
Webster
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
World English Bible
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes),
Youngs Literal Translation
When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that hath been done on the earth, (for there is also a spectator in whose eyes sleep is not by day and by night),
Themes
Care » Worldly folly of » Drives away sleep
Wisdom » True wisdom, general references to » The search for
Topics
Interlinear
Nathan
Leb
Yada`
Ra'ah
'erets
Yowm
Layil
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 8:16
Verse Info
Context Readings
Man Cannot Know God's Ways
15 So then I recommended enjoyment of life, because it is better on earth for a man to eat, drink, and be happy, since this will stay with him throughout his struggle all the days of his life, which God grants him on earth. 16 When I dedicated myself to experience wisdom and to observe what is undertaken on earth even going without sleep day and night 17 I saw all of it as the activity of God. Frankly, a human being cannot understand what happens on earth, because however hard a man works to discover it, he will not find out. Despite what he thinks he knows, he will not be able to figure it out.
Cross References
Psalm 127:2
It is useless to get up early and to stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor truly he gives sleep to those he loves.
Ecclesiastes 1:13
I dedicated myself to using wisdom for study and discovery of everything that is done under heaven. God uses terrible things so human beings will struggle with life.
Ecclesiastes 2:23
Indeed, all of his days are filled with sorrow, and his struggles bring grief. In fact, his mind remains restless throughout the night. This is pointless, too!
Genesis 31:40
As it was, I was attacked by drought during the day and by cold at night. I never got any decent rest.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
Consider someone who is alone, having neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his work, and he is never satisfied with wealth. "So for whom do I work," he asks, "and deprive myself of pleasure?" This, too, is pointless and a terrible tragedy.
Ecclesiastes 5:12
Sweet is the sleep of a working man, whether he eats a little or a lot, but the excess wealth of the rich will not allow him to rest.
Ecclesiastes 7:25
I committed myself to understand, to learn, to search for wisdom and explanations, and to understand both the evil that is foolishness and the stupidity that is delusion.
Ecclesiastes 8:7
For he has absolutely no knowledge what will happen, since who can declare to him when it will come about?
Ecclesiastes 8:9
I observed all this, and carefully considered everything that is undertaken on earth, especially the time when someone dominates another to his detriment.