Ecclesiastes 2:3

KJV1611 – Modern English

I searched in my heart to give myself to wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what is good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

    I explored with my heart how to cheer my body with wine, while my mind guided me with wisdom, and how to embrace folly until I could see what is good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

  • King James Version 1769 (Standard 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.

  • American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

    I searched{H8446} in my heart{H3820} how to cheer{H4900} my{H1320} flesh with wine,{H3196} my heart{H3820} yet guiding{H5090} [me] with wisdom,{H2451} and how to lay hold{H270} on folly,{H5531} till I might see{H7200} what it was good{H2896} for the sons{H1121} of men{H120} that they should do{H6213} under heaven{H8064} all{H4557} the days{H3117} of their life.{H2416}

  • King James Version with Strong's Numbers

    I sought{H8446}{(H8804)} in mine heart{H3820} to give{H4900}{(H8800)} myself{H1320} unto wine{H3196}, yet acquainting{H5090}{(H8802)} mine heart{H3820} with wisdom{H2451}; and to lay hold{H270}{(H8800)} on folly{H5531}, till I might see{H7200}{(H8799)} what was that good{H2896} for the sons{H1121} of men{H120}, which they should do{H6213}{(H8799)} under the heaven{H8064} all{H4557} the days{H3117} of their life{H2416}.

  • Coverdale Bible (1535)

    So I thought in my herte, to withdrawe my flesh from wyne, to applye my mynde vnto wy?dome, and to comprehede foolishnes vntill the tyme that (amonge all ye thinges which are vnder ye Sonne) I might se what were best for men to do, so longe as they lyue vnder heauen.

  • Geneva Bible (1560)

    I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe to wine, and to leade mine heart in wisdome, and to take holde of follie, till I might see where is that goodnesse of the children of men, which they enioy vnder the sunne: the whole nomber of the dayes of their life.

  • Bishops' Bible (1568)

    So I thought in my heart to geue my fleshe vnto wine, and agayne to apply my mynde vnto wisdome, and to comprehende foolishnesse: vntyll the tyme that among all the thynges which are vnder the sunne, I myght see what were best for men to do so long as they liue vnder heauen.

  • Authorized King James Version (1611)

    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.

  • Webster's Bible (1833)

    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.

  • Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

    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.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    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.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    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.

  • Bible in Basic English (1941)

    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.

  • World English Bible (2000)

    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.

  • NET Bible® (New English Translation)

    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.

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 20:1 : 1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
  • Eccl 1:17 : 17 And I set my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after wind.
  • Eccl 6:12 : 12 For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
  • Eccl 12:13 : 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
  • Prov 31:4-5 : 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to crave strong drink. 5 Lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
  • Eph 5:18 : 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
  • Matt 6:24 : 24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
  • 2 Cor 6:15-17 : 15 And what agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he who believes with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said: I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.
  • Eccl 7:18 : 18 It is good that you should take hold of this, and also from this do not withdraw your hand; for he who fears God will escape them all.
  • Eccl 7:25 : 25 I applied my heart to know, to search, and to seek out wisdom and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even foolishness and madness.
  • Eccl 2:24 : 24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labor. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.
  • Eccl 3:12-13 : 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.
  • Prov 23:29-35 : 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who linger long at the wine, those who go to seek mixed wine. 31 Do not look upon the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls smoothly. 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes shall see strange things, and your heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yes, you shall be as one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as one who lies upon the top of a mast. 35 "They have struck me," you shall say, "and I was not hurt; they have beaten me, and I did not feel it; when shall I awake, I will seek it yet again."
  • Gen 47:9 : 9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
  • 1 Sam 25:36 : 36 And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk; therefore she told him nothing, little or much, until morning light.
  • Job 14:14 : 14 If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time I will wait, till my change comes.
  • Ps 90:9-9 : 9 For all our days are passed away in your wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their strength is labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of your anger? even according to your fear, so is your wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 1:16-18
    3 verses
    83%

    16 I communed with my own heart, saying, Look, I have attained great stature, and gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem: yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

    17 And I set my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after wind.

    18 For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

  • Eccl 2:1-2
    2 verses
    83%

    1 I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure." And behold, this also is vanity.

    2 I said of laughter, "It is madness," and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"

  • Eccl 7:25
    83%

    25 I applied my heart to know, to search, and to seek out wisdom and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even foolishness and madness.

  • Eccl 1:13-14
    2 verses
    82%

    13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this difficult task God has given to the children of man to be engaged with.

    14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

  • Eccl 2:4
    81%

    4 I made great works; I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.

  • Eccl 2:8-17
    10 verses
    80%

    8 I gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and various kinds of musical instruments.

    9 So I became great and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also, my wisdom remained with me.

    10 And whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor.

    11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor I had toiled to do; and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

    12 I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done.

    13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly just as light excels darkness.

    14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived that the same event happens to them all.

    15 So I said in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me. And why was I then more wise?" Then I said in my heart, "This also is vanity."

    16 For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, since what now is will all be forgotten in the days to come. And how does the wise man die? Just like the fool.

    17 Therefore I hated life, because the work that was done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Eccl 2:19-22
    4 verses
    79%

    19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I have labored and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

    20 Therefore I turned my heart to despair over all the labor which I had done under the sun.

    21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill. Yet he must leave his inheritance to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

    22 For what has man from all his labor, and of the striving of his heart with which he has labored under the sun?

  • Eccl 8:15-17
    3 verses
    78%

    15 So I commended joy, because a man has no better thing under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun.

    16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the work that is done upon the earth (for there are those who neither day nor night see sleep with their eyes),

    17 Then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. Even though a man labors to seek it out, he shall not find it; moreover, though a wise man thinks to know it, he shall not be able to find it.

  • Eccl 2:24-26
    3 verses
    76%

    24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labor. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.

    25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

    26 For God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to the man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and collecting, only to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Eccl 3:12
    75%

    12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives.

  • Eccl 7:4
    74%

    4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of laughter.

  • Eccl 3:18
    74%

    18 I said in my heart concerning the condition of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are like beasts.

  • Eccl 3:22
    73%

    22 Therefore I perceive that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what shall be after him?

  • Eccl 9:13
    73%

    13 This wisdom I have seen also under the sun, and it seemed great to me:

  • Eccl 11:9
    73%

    9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes — but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

  • Eccl 5:18
    72%

    18 Behold, what I have seen: it is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life, which God gives him; for it is his portion.

  • Eccl 9:9-10
    2 verses
    72%

    9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of vanity, which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity: for that is your portion in this life and in your labor which you take under the sun.

    10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you go.

  • Eccl 9:1
    71%

    1 For all this I considered in my heart, even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God. No one knows either love or hatred by all that is before them.

  • Eccl 3:10
    71%

    10 I have seen the task which God has given to the sons of men to be occupied with.

  • Eccl 6:12
    71%

    12 For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

  • Eccl 7:23
    71%

    23 All this have I tested by wisdom. I said, 'I will be wise,' but it was far from me.

  • Prov 20:1
    71%

    1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

  • Prov 31:6
    71%

    6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those of heavy hearts.

  • Prov 18:2
    71%

    2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may express itself.

  • Eccl 2:6
    71%

    6 I made pools of water for myself, to water the forest that grows trees.

  • Eccl 9:3
    71%

    3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yes, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that, they go to the dead.

  • Eccl 4:7
    71%

    7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

  • Eccl 1:3
    71%

    3 What profit does a man have from all his labor which he does under the sun?

  • Prov 23:30
    71%

    30 Those who linger long at the wine, those who go to seek mixed wine.

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