Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
I concluded that wisdom is more useful than foolishness, just as light is more useful than darkness.
New American Standard Bible
And I saw that
King James Version
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
Holman Bible
And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over 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 Next I turned to examine wisdom, insanity, and foolishness, because what can a person do who succeeds the king except what has already been accomplished? 13 I concluded that wisdom is more useful than foolishness, just as light is more useful than darkness. 14 The wise use their eyes, but the fool walks in darkness. I also perceived that the same outcome affects them all.
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:11-12
Wise use of possessions is good; it brings benefit to the living.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my pathway.
Psalm 119:130
The disclosure of your words illuminates, providing understanding to the simple.
Proverbs 4:5-7
Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth!
Proverbs 4:18-19
The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that grows brighter until the full light of day.
Proverbs 16:16
How much better than gaining gold is the acquisition of wisdom, the attainment of wisdom better than silver!
Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom given as strength to a wise person is better than having ten powerful men in the city.
Ecclesiastes 9:16
So I concluded, "Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the wisdom of the poor is rejected his words are never heard."
Ecclesiastes 9:18
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, and a single sinner can destroy a lot of good.
Ecclesiastes 11:7
How sweet is the daylight, and how pleasant it is for someone's eyes to behold the sunshine!
Malachi 3:18-2
When you return, you will see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, and between the one who serves God and the one who does not."
Matthew 6:23
But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. Therefore, if the light within you has turned into darkness, how great is that darkness!"
Luke 11:34-35
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light. But when it's evil, your body is full of darkness.
Ephesians 5:8
For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,