Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
"Senseless," said I concerning laughter and pleasure, "How practical is this?"
New American Standard Bible
King James Version
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
Holman Bible
I said about laughter,
A Conservative Version
I said of laughter, It is mad, and of mirth, What does it do?
American Standard Version
I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?
Amplified
I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”
Bible in Basic English
Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?
Darby Translation
I said of laughter, Madness! and of mirth, What availeth it?
Julia Smith Translation
To laughter I said, It is mad: and to gladness, What did this?
King James 2000
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What use is it?
Lexham Expanded Bible
I said of laughter, "[It is] folly!" and of pleasure, "{What does it accomplish?}"
Modern King James verseion
I said of laughter, It is madness; and of mirth, What does it do?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
insomuch that I said unto laughter, "Thou art mad," and to mirth, "What doest thou?"
NET Bible
I said of partying, "It is folly," and of self-indulgent pleasure, "It accomplishes nothing!"
New Heart English Bible
I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
The Emphasized Bible
Of laughter, I said, Madness! and, of mirth, What can it do?
Webster
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
World English Bible
I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
Youngs Literal Translation
Of laughter I said, 'Foolish!' and of mirth, 'What is this it is doing?'
Interlinear
References
Fausets
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:2
Verse Info
Context Readings
Qohelet's Investigation Of Self-Indulgence
1 I told myself, "I will test you with pleasure, so enjoy yourself." But this was pointless. 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.
Cross References
Proverbs 14:13
Even in laughter there may be heartache, and at the end of joy there may be grief.
Ecclesiastes 7:2-6
It's better to attend a funeral than to attend a banquet, for everyone dies eventually, and the living will take this to heart.
Isaiah 22:12-13
On that day the Lord GOD of the Heavenly Armies called for weeping and mourning, for shaving heads and wearing sackcloth.
Amos 6:3-6
"Disbelieving that a day of evil will come, embracing opportunities to commit violence,
1 Peter 4:2-4
so that he can live the rest of his mortal life guided, not by human desires, but by the will of God.