Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
I decided to indulge in wine, while still remaining committed to wisdom. I also tried to indulge in foolishness, just enough to determine whether it was good for human beings under heaven given the short time of their lives.
New American Standard Bible
I explored with my
King James Version
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
Holman Bible
I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life
A Conservative Version
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine (my heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom), and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of th
American Standard Version
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.
Amplified
I explored with my mind how to gratify myself with wine while [at the same time] having my mind remain steady and guide me wisely; and how to take control of foolishness, until I could see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.
Bible in Basic English
I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Darby Translation
I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Julia Smith Translation
I examined in my heart to draw my flesh with wine, and my heart led in wisdom; and to lay hold upon folly till that I shall see what this good to the sons of man which they will do under the heavens the number of the days of their life.
King James 2000
I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men, which they should do under heaven all the days of their life.
Lexham Expanded Bible
I also {explored} {the effects of indulging my flesh} with wine. My mind guiding me with wisdom, {I investigated} folly so that I might discover what [is] good under heaven for {humans} to do {during the days of their lives}.
Modern King James verseion
I sought in my heart to drag my flesh with wine, yet leading my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, until I might see where the good for the sons of men might be, what they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
So I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, to apply my mind unto wisdom, and to comprehend foolishness until the time that among all the things which are under the Sun, I might see what were best for men to do, so long as they live under heaven.
NET Bible
I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.
New Heart English Bible
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.
The Emphasized Bible
I sought out with my heart, to cherish with wine, my flesh, - but, my heart, was to guide with wisdom, even in laying hold of folly, until I should see which was blessedness for the sons of men, as to that which they could do, under the heavens, during the number of the days of their life.
Webster
I sought in my heart, to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
World English Bible
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.
Youngs Literal Translation
I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where is this -- the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.
Interlinear
Leb
Basar
Nahag
Leb
Ra'ah
Towb
References
Morish
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:3
Verse Info
Context Readings
Qohelet's Investigation Of Self-Indulgence
2 "Senseless," said I concerning laughter and pleasure, "How practical is this?" 3 I decided to indulge in wine, while still remaining committed to wisdom. I also tried to indulge in foolishness, just enough to determine whether it was good for human beings under heaven given the short time of their lives. 4 With respect to my extravagant works, I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.
Cross References
Proverbs 20:1
Wine causes mocking, and beer causes fights; everyone led astray by them lacks wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 1:17
So I dedicated myself to learn about wisdom and knowledge, and about insanity and foolishness. And I discovered that this is also like chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human.
Genesis 47:9
"I'm 130 years old," Jacob replied. "My years have turned out to be few and unpleasant, but I haven't yet reached the age my ancestors did during their travels on earth."
1 Samuel 25:36
Abigail returned to Nabal, and he was there in his house holding a festival like the festival of a king. Nabal's heart was glad, and he was very drunk, so she didn't tell him anything at all until morning.
Job 14:14
If a human being dies, will he live again? I will endure the entire time of my assigned service, until I am changed.
Psalm 90:9-12
All our days pass away in your wrath; our years fade away and end like a sigh.
Proverbs 23:29-35
Who has woe? Who has grief? Who has contention? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has bloodshot eyes?
Proverbs 31:4-5
It is not for kings, Lemuel Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor.
Ecclesiastes 2:24
The only worthwhile thing for a human being is to eat, drink, and enjoy life's goodness that he finds in what he accomplishes. This, I observed, is also from the hand of God himself,
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life;
Ecclesiastes 7:18
It is good for you to grab hold of this and not let go, because whoever fears God will escape all of these extremes.
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.
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters, because either he will hate one and love the other, or be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and riches!"
2 Corinthians 6:15-17
What harmony exists between the Messiah and Beliar, or what do a believer and an unbeliever have in common?
Ephesians 5:18
Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit.