Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
I used my wisdom to test all of this. I said, "I want to be wise," but it was beyond 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.
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.
Amplified
I have tested all this with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise [independently of God],” but true wisdom 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 since you also know how often you have cursed others. 23 I used my wisdom to test all of this. I said, "I want to be wise," but it was beyond me. 24 Whatever it is, it's far off and most profound. Who can attain it?
Cross References
Romans 1:22
Though claiming to be wise, they became fools
Genesis 3:5
"Even God knows that on the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you'll become like God, knowing good and evil."
1 Kings 3:11-12
so God told him:
1 Kings 11:1-8
But King Solomon married many foreign women besides the daughter of Pharaoh: women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidonia, along with Hittite women, too,
1 Corinthians 1:20
Where is the wise person? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? God has turned the wisdom of the world into nonsense, hasn't he?