Parallel Verses
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.
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
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
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),
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 And I praised joy, because there is no good to man under the sun but to eat and to drink, and to rejoice: for this shall lodge with him in his labor the days of his life which God gave to him under the sun. 16 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. 17 And I saw all the work of God, that no man shall be able to find out the work that was done under the sun in whatsoever a man shall labor to seek out, and he shall not find: and also if the wise one shall say to know, he shall not be able to find.
Cross References
Psalm 127:2
In vain for you rising early to arise from after sitting; eating the bread of toils: so will he give to his beloved sleep.
Ecclesiastes 1:13
And I gave my heart to seek and to search out in wisdom concerning all which was done under the heavens: this evil business God gave to the sons of man to be occupied in it
Ecclesiastes 2:23
For all his days pains, and vexation, his labor; also in the night his heart rested not Also this it is vanity.
Genesis 31:40
I was in the day, the drought consumed me, and cold in the night, and sleep will flee away from mine eyes.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
There is one, and not a second; also a son and brother not to him: and no end to all his labor; also his eye shall not be satisfied with riches: and for whom do I labor and diminish my soul from good? Also this is vanity, and it is an evil labor.
Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of the servant is sweet, if little, or if much he shall eat: and the satiety to the rich not permitting to him to sleep.
Ecclesiastes 7:25
I went round about, I and my heart., to know, and to examine, and to search out wisdom and understanding, and to know the injustice of folly, and the folly of wickedness:
Ecclesiastes 8:7
For he will not know what shall be: for as it shall be who shall announce to him?
Ecclesiastes 8:9
All this I saw, and giving my heart to every work which was done under the sun: a time which man had power overman for evil to him.