Parallel Verses
Amplified
I have tested all this with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise [independently of God],” but true wisdom was 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.
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.
Youngs Literal Translation
All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, 'I am wise,' and it is far from me.
Topics
Interlinear
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 7:23
Verse Info
Context Readings
Absolute Wisdom Is Unattainable
22
for you also know that you too have cursed others many times.
23 I have tested all this with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise [independently of God],” but true wisdom was far from me.
24
Whatever has been is far off, deeply remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it [for it is beyond the grasp of man]?
Cross References
Romans 1:22
Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
Genesis 3:5
For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened [that is, you will have greater awareness], and you will be like God, knowing [the difference between] good and evil.”
1 Kings 3:11-12
God said to him, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself a long life nor for wealth, nor for the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to recognize justice,
1 Kings 11:1-8
Now king Solomon [defiantly] loved
1 Corinthians 1:20
Where is the wise man (philosopher)? Where is the scribe (scholar)? Where is the debater (logician, orator) of this age? Has God not exposed the foolishness of this world’s wisdom?