Parallel Verses
King James Version
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
New American Standard Bible
And I saw that
Holman Bible
And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness.
International Standard Version
I concluded that wisdom is more useful than foolishness, just as light is more useful than darkness.
A Conservative Version
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as far as light excels darkness.
American Standard Version
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
Amplified
Then I saw that [even secular] wisdom [that brings sorrow] is better than [the pleasures of] folly and self-indulgence as light excels darkness.
Bible in Basic English
Then I saw that wisdom is better than foolish ways--as the light is better than the dark.
Darby Translation
And I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as light excelleth darkness.
Julia Smith Translation
And I saw there is profit to wisdom more than to folly, as the excellence of the light above darkness.
King James 2000
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
Lexham Expanded Bible
I realized that wisdom has an advantage over folly, just as light has an advantage over darkness.
Modern King James verseion
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
And I saw that wisdom excelleth foolishness, as far as light doth darkness.
NET Bible
I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:
New Heart English Bible
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
The Emphasized Bible
Then saw, I, that wisdom doth excel folly, - as far as light excelleth darkness.
Webster
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
World English Bible
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
Youngs Literal Translation
And I saw that there is an advantage to wisdom above folly, like the advantage of the light above the darkness.
Themes
Folly » Of men » General references to
Light » Described as » Useful and precious
Wisdom » True wisdom, general references to » The preciousness of
Interlinear
Ra'ah
Yithrown
יתרון
Yithrown
Usage: 10
References
Watsons
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:13
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Living Must Abandon The Work Of Their Hands To Others At Death
12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:11-12
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
Psalm 119:105
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Proverbs 4:5-7
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:18-19
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 16:16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Ecclesiastes 9:18
Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Ecclesiastes 11:7
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
Malachi 3:18-2
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Matthew 6:23
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Luke 11:34-35
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
Ephesians 5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: