Ecclesiastes 2 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible

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World English Bible Classic
[1] I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure;” and behold, this also was vanity. [2] I said of laughter, “It is foolishness;” and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” [3] 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. [4] I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards. [5] I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. [6] I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown. [7] I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem. [8] I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men: musical instruments of all sorts. [9] So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me. [10] Whatever my eyes desired, I didn’t keep from them. I didn’t withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. [11] Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun. [12] I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly; for what can the king’s successor do? Just that which has been done long ago. [13] Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. [14] The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness—and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all. [15] Then I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity. [16] For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory forever, since in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool! [17] So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. [18] I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. [19] Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of 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 began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun. [21] For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. [22] For what does a man have of all his labor and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun? [23] For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. [24] There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. [25] For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? [26] For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
King James Version

The Vanity of Pleasure

[1] I said H559 in mine heart, H3820 Go to now, H3212 I will prove H5254 thee with mirth, H8057 therefore enjoy H7200 pleasure: H2896 and, behold, this also is vanity. H1892 [2] I said H559 of laughter, H7814 It is mad: H1984 and of mirth, H8057 What H2090 doeth H6213 it? [3] I sought H8446 in mine heart H3820 to give H4900 H853 myself H1320 unto wine, H3196§ yet acquainting H5090 mine heart H3820 with wisdom; H2451 and to lay hold H270 on folly, H5531 till I might see H7200 what was that good H2896 for the sons H1121 of men, H120 which H834 they should do H6213 under the heaven H8064 all H4557 the days H3117 of their life. H2416§ [4] I made me great H1431 works; H4639 I builded H1129 me houses; H1004 I planted H5193 me vineyards: H3754 [5] I made H6213 me gardens H1593 and orchards, H6508 and I planted H5193 trees H6086 in them of all kind of fruits: H6529 [6] I made H6213 me pools H1295 of water, H4325 to water H8248 therewith the wood H3293 that bringeth forth H6779 trees: H6086 [7] I got H7069 me servants H5650 and maidens, H8198 and had servants born H1121 in my house; H1004§ also H1571 I had great H7235 possessions H4735 of great H1241 and small cattle H6629 above all that were in Jerusalem H3389 before H6440 me: [8] I gathered H3664 me also silver H3701 and gold, H2091 and the peculiar treasure H5459 of kings H4428 and of the provinces: H4082 I gat H6213 me men singers H7891 and women singers, H7891 and the delights H8588 of the sons H1121 of men, H120 as musical instruments, H7705ⓘ H7705 and that of all sorts. [9] So I was great, H1431 and increased H3254 more than all that were before H6440 me in Jerusalem: H3389 also my wisdom H2451 remained H5975 with me. [10] And whatsoever mine eyes H5869 desired H7592 I kept H680 not H3808 from them, I withheld H4513 not H3808 my heart H3820 from any joy; H8057 for H3588 my heart H3820 rejoiced H8056 in all my labour: H5999 and this was my portion H2506 of all my labour. H5999 [11] Then I looked H6437 on all the works H4639 that my hands H3027 had wrought, H6213 and on the labour H5999 that I had laboured H5998 to do: H6213 and, behold, all was vanity H1892 and vexation H7469 of spirit, H7307 and there was no profit H3504 under the sun. H8121 [12] And I turned H6437 myself to behold H7200 wisdom, H2451 and madness, H1947 and folly: H5531 for what can the man H120 do that cometh H935 after H310 the king? H4428 even that which hath been already H3528 done. H6213§ [13] Then I saw H7200 that H3426 wisdom H2451 excelleth H3504 folly, H5531§ as far as light H216 excelleth H3504 darkness. H2822 [14] The wise man’s H2450 eyes H5869 are in his head; H7218 but the fool H3684 walketh H1980 in darkness: H2822 and I myself perceived H3045 also H1571 that one H259 event H4745 happeneth H7136 to them all. [15] Then H227 said H559 I in my heart, H3820 As it happeneth H4745 to the fool, H3684 so it happeneth H7136 even to me; H1571§ and why was I then more H3148 wise? H2449 Then I said H1696 in my heart, H3820 that this also is vanity. H1892 [16] For there is no remembrance H2146 of the wise H2450 more than H5973 of the fool H3684 for H3588 ever; H5769 seeing that which now H3528 is in the days H3117 to come H935 shall all be forgotten. H7911 And how dieth H4191 the wise H2450 man? as the fool. H3684 [17] Therefore I hated H8130 H853 life; H2416 because H3588 the work H4639 that is wrought H6213 under the sun H8121 is grievous H7451 unto me: for all is vanity H1892 and vexation H7469 of spirit. H7307

The Vanity of Work and Riches

[18] Yea, I hated H8130 all H3605 my labour H5999 which I had taken H6001§ under the sun: H8121 because I should leave H3240 it unto the man H120 that shall be after H310 me. [19] And who knoweth H3045 whether he shall be a wise H2450 man or a fool? H5530 yet shall he have rule H7980 over all my labour H5999 wherein I have laboured, H5998 and wherein I have shewed myself wise H2449 under the sun. H8121 This is also vanity. H1892 [20] Therefore I went about H5437 to cause H2976 H853 my heart H3820 to despair H2976 of all the labour H5999 which I took H5998 under the sun. H8121 [21] For H3588 there is H3426 a man H120 whose labour H5999 is in wisdom, H2451 and in knowledge, H1847 and in equity; H3788 yet to a man H120 that hath not laboured H5998 therein shall he leave H5414§ it for his portion. H2506 This also is vanity H1892 and a great H7227 evil. H7451 [22] For H3588 what H4100 hath H1933 man H120 of all his labour, H5999 and of the vexation H7475 of his heart, H3820 wherein H1931 he hath laboured H6001 under the sun? H8121 [23] For H3588 all H3605 his days H3117 are sorrows, H4341 and his travail H6045 grief; H3708 yea, his heart H3820 taketh not rest H7901 in the night. H3915 This H2088 is also vanity. H1892 [24] There is nothing better H2896 for H3588 a man, H120 than that he should eat H398 and drink, H8354 H853 and that he should make his soul H5315 enjoy H7200§ good H2896 in his labour. H5999 This H2090 also H1571 I saw, H7200 that it was from the hand H3027 of God. H430 [25] For H3588 who can eat, H398 or who else can hasten H2363 hereunto, more H2351 than I? [26] For God giveth H5414 to a man H120 that is good H2896 in his sight H6440§ wisdom, H2451 and knowledge, H1847 and joy: H8057 but to the sinner H2398 he giveth H5414 travail, H6045 to gather H622 and to heap up, H3664 that he may give H5414 to him that is good H2896 before H6440 God. H430 This also is vanity H1892 and vexation H7469 of spirit. H7307

Footnotes

  1. § 2:3a Heb. to draw my flesh with wine
  2. § 2:3b Heb. the number of the days of their life
  3. § 2:7 Heb. sons of my house
  4. ⓘ 2:8 , and that of all sorts: Heb. musical instrument, and instruments
  5. § 2:12 Or, in those things which have been already done
  6. § 2:13 Heb. that there is an excellency in Wisdom more then in folly, etc
  7. § 2:15 Heb. happeneth to me, even to me
  8. § 2:18 Heb. laboured
  9. § 2:21 Heb. give
  10. § 2:24 Or, delight his senses
  11. § 2:26 Heb. before him
Septuaginta
[1] Εἶπον G2036 ἐγὼ G1473 ἐν G1722 καρδίᾳ G2588 μου G3450 Δεῦρο G1204 δὴ G1211 πειράσω G3985 σε G4571 ἐν G1722 εὐφροσύνῃ, G2167 καὶ G2532 ἰδὲ G1492 ἐν G1722 ἀγαθῷ· G18 καὶ G2532 ἰδοὺ G2400 καί G2532 γε G1065 τοῦτο G5124 ματαιότης. G3153 [2] Τῷ G3588 γέλωτι G1071 εἶπα G2036 περιφορὰν καὶ G2532 τῇ G3588 εὐφροσύνῃ G2167 Τί G5101 τοῦτο G5124 ποιεῖς; G4160 [3] Κατεσκεψάμην ἐν G1722 καρδίᾳ G2588 μου G3450 τοῦ G3588 ἑλκύσαι G1670 εἰς G1519 οἶνον G3631 τὴν G3588 σάρκα G4561 μου G3450 —καὶ G2532 καρδία G2588 μου G3450 ὡδήγησεν G3594 ἐν G1722 σοφίᾳ G4678 —καὶ G2532 τοῦ G3588 κρατῆσαι G2902 ἐπ’ G1909 ἀφροσύνῃ, G877 ἕως G2193 οὗ G3739 ἴδω G1492 ποῖον G4169 τὸ G3588 ἀγαθὸν G18 τοῖς G3588 υἱοῖς G5207 τοῦ G3588 ἀνθρώπου, G444 ὃ G3739 ποιήσουσιν G4160 ὑπὸ G5259 τὸν G3588 ἥλιον G2246 ἀριθμὸν G706 ἡμερῶν G2250 ζωῆς G2222 αὐτῶν. G846 [4] Ἐμεγάλυνα G3170 ποίημά G4161 μου, G3450 ᾠκοδόμησά G3618 μοι G3427 οἴκους, G3624 ἐφύτευσά G5452 μοι G3427 ἀμπελῶνας, G290 [5] ἐποίησά G4160 μοι G3427 κήπους G2779 καὶ G2532 παραδείσους G3857 καὶ G2532 ἐφύτευσα G5452 ἐν G1722 αὐτοῖς G846 ξύλον G3586 πᾶν G3956 καρποῦ· G2590 [6] ἐποίησά G4160 μοι G3427 κολυμβήθρας G2861 ὑδάτων G5204 τοῦ G3588 ποτίσαι G4222 ἀπ’ G575 αὐτῶν G846 δρυμὸν βλαστῶντα ξύλα· G3586 [7] ἐκτησάμην G2932 δούλους G1401 καὶ G2532 παιδίσκας, G3814 καὶ G2532 οἰκογενεῖς ἐγένοντό G1096 μοι, G3427 καί G2532 γε G1065 κτῆσις βουκολίου καὶ G2532 ποιμνίου G4168 πολλὴ G4183 ἐγένετό G1096 μοι G3427 ὑπὲρ G5228 πάντας G3956 τοὺς G3588 γενομένους G1096 ἔμπροσθέν G1715 μου G3450 ἐν G1722 Ιερουσαλημ· G2419 [8] συνήγαγόν G4863 μοι G3427 καί G2532 γε G1065 ἀργύριον G694 καὶ G2532 χρυσίον G5553 καὶ G2532 περιουσιασμοὺς βασιλέων G935 καὶ G2532 τῶν G3588 χωρῶν· G5561 ἐποίησά G4160 μοι G3427 ᾄδοντας G103 καὶ G2532 ᾀδούσας G103 καὶ G2532 ἐντρυφήματα υἱῶν G5207 τοῦ G3588 ἀνθρώπου G444 οἰνοχόον καὶ G2532 οἰνοχόας· [9] καὶ G2532 ἐμεγαλύνθην G3170 καὶ G2532 προσέθηκα G4369 παρὰ G3844 πάντας G3956 τοὺς G3588 γενομένους G1096 ἔμπροσθέν G1715 μου G3450 ἐν G1722 Ιερουσαλημ· G2419 καί G2532 γε G1065 σοφία G4678 μου G3450 ἐστάθη G2476 μοι. G3427 [10] Καὶ G2532 πᾶν, G3956 ὃ G3739 ᾔτησαν G154 οἱ G3588 ὀφθαλμοί G3788 μου, G3450 οὐχ G3756 ὑφεῖλον ἀπ’ G575 αὐτῶν, G846 οὐκ G3756 ἀπεκώλυσα τὴν G3588 καρδίαν G2588 μου G3450 ἀπὸ G575 πάσης G3956 εὐφροσύνης, G2167 ὅτι G3754 καρδία G2588 μου G3450 εὐφράνθη G2165 ἐν G1722 παντὶ G3956 μόχθῳ G3449 μου, G3450 καὶ G2532 τοῦτο G5124 ἐγένετο G1096 μερίς G3310 μου G3450 ἀπὸ G575 παντὸς G3956 μόχθου G3449 μου. G3450 [11] Καὶ G2532 ἐπέβλεψα G1914 ἐγὼ G1473 ἐν G1722 πᾶσιν G3956 ποιήμασίν G4161 μου, G3450 οἷς G3739 ἐποίησαν G4160 αἱ G3588 χεῖρές G5495 μου, G3450 καὶ G2532 ἐν G1722 μόχθῳ, G3449 ᾧ G3739 ἐμόχθησα τοῦ G3588 ποιεῖν, G4160 καὶ G2532 ἰδοὺ G2400 τὰ G3588 πάντα G3956 ματαιότης G3153 καὶ G2532 προαίρεσις πνεύματος, G4151 καὶ G2532 οὐκ G3756 ἔστιν G2076 περισσεία G4050 ὑπὸ G5259 τὸν G3588 ἥλιον. G2246 [12] Καὶ G2532 ἐπέβλεψα G1914 ἐγὼ G1473 τοῦ G3588 ἰδεῖν G1492 σοφίαν G4678 καὶ G2532 περιφορὰν καὶ G2532 ἀφροσύνην· G877 ὅτι G3754 τίς G5101 ὁ G3588 ἄνθρωπος, G444 ὃς G3739 ἐπελεύσεται G1904 ὀπίσω G3694 τῆς G3588 βουλῆς G1012 τὰ G3588 ὅσα G3745 ἐποίησεν G4160 αὐτήν; G846 [13] Καὶ G2532 εἶδον G1492 ἐγὼ G1473 ὅτι G3754 ἔστιν G2076 περισσεία G4050 τῇ G3588 σοφίᾳ G4678 ὑπὲρ G5228 τὴν G3588 ἀφροσύνην G877 ὡς G5613 περισσεία G4050 τοῦ G3588 φωτὸς G5457 ὑπὲρ G5228 τὸ G3588 σκότος· G4655 [14] τοῦ G3588 σοφοῦ G4680 οἱ G3588 ὀφθαλμοὶ G3788 αὐτοῦ G846 ἐν G1722 κεφαλῇ G2776 αὐτοῦ, G846 καὶ G2532 ὁ G3588 ἄφρων G878 ἐν G1722 σκότει G4655 πορεύεται. G4198 Καὶ G2532 ἔγνων G1097 καί G2532 γε G1065 ἐγὼ G1473 ὅτι G3754 συνάντημα ἓν G1520 συναντήσεται G4876 τοῖς G3588 πᾶσιν G3956 αὐτοῖς. G846 [15] Καὶ G2532 εἶπα G2036 ἐγὼ G1473 ἐν G1722 καρδίᾳ G2588 μου G3450 Ὡς G5613 συνάντημα τοῦ G3588 ἄφρονος G878 καί G2532 γε G1065 ἐμοὶ G1699 συναντήσεταί G4876 μοι, G3427 καὶ G2532 ἵνα G2443 τί G5101 ἐσοφισάμην; G4679 Ἐγὼ G1473 τότε G5119 περισσὸν G4053 ἐλάλησα G2980 ἐν G1722 καρδίᾳ G2588 μου, G3450 διότι G1360 ἄφρων G878 ἐκ G1537 περισσεύματος G4051 λαλεῖ, G2980 ὅτι G3754 καί G2532 γε G1065 τοῦτο G5124 ματαιότης. G3153 [16] Ὅτι G3754 οὐκ G3756 ἔστιν G2076 μνήμη G3420 τοῦ G3588 σοφοῦ G4680 μετὰ G3326 τοῦ G3588 ἄφρονος G878 εἰς G1519 αἰῶνα, G165 καθότι G2530 ἤδη G2235 αἱ G3588 ἡμέραι G2250 αἱ G3588 ἐρχόμεναι G2064 τὰ G3588 πάντα G3956 ἐπελήσθη· G1950 καὶ G2532 πῶς G4459 ἀποθανεῖται G599 ὁ G3588 σοφὸς G4680 μετὰ G3326 τοῦ G3588 ἄφρονος; G878 [17] Καὶ G2532 ἐμίσησα G3404 σὺν G4862 τὴν G3588 ζωήν, G2222 ὅτι G3754 πονηρὸν G4190 ἐπ’ G1909 ἐμὲ G1691 τὸ G3588 ποίημα G4161 τὸ G3588 πεποιημένον G4160 ὑπὸ G5259 τὸν G3588 ἥλιον, G2246 ὅτι G3754 τὰ G3588 πάντα G3956 ματαιότης G3153 καὶ G2532 προαίρεσις πνεύματος. G4151 [18] Καὶ G2532 ἐμίσησα G3404 ἐγὼ G1473 σὺν G4862 πάντα G3956 μόχθον G3449 μου, G3450 ὃν G3739 ἐγὼ G1473 μοχθῶ ὑπὸ G5259 τὸν G3588 ἥλιον, G2246 ὅτι G3754 ἀφίω G863 αὐτὸν G846 τῷ G3588 ἀνθρώπῳ G444 τῷ G3588 γινομένῳ G1096 μετ’ G3326 ἐμέ· G1691 [19] καὶ G2532 τίς G5101 οἶδεν G1492 εἰ G1487 σοφὸς G4680 ἔσται G2071 ἢ G2228 ἄφρων; G878 Καὶ G2532 ἐξουσιάζεται G1850 ἐν G1722 παντὶ G3956 μόχθῳ G3449 μου, G3450 ᾧ G3739 ἐμόχθησα καὶ G2532 ᾧ G3739 ἐσοφισάμην G4679 ὑπὸ G5259 τὸν G3588 ἥλιον. G2246 Καί G2532 γε G1065 τοῦτο G5124 ματαιότης. G3153 [20] Καὶ G2532 ἐπέστρεψα G1994 ἐγὼ G1473 τοῦ G3588 ἀποτάξασθαι G657 τῇ G3588 καρδίᾳ G2588 μου G3450 ἐπὶ G1909 παντὶ G3956 τῷ G3588 μόχθῳ, G3449 ᾧ G3739 ἐμόχθησα ὑπὸ G5259 τὸν G3588 ἥλιον, G2246 [21] ὅτι G3754 ἔστιν G2076 ἄνθρωπος, G444 οὗ G3739 μόχθος G3449 αὐτοῦ G846 ἐν G1722 σοφίᾳ G4678 καὶ G2532 ἐν G1722 γνώσει G1108 καὶ G2532 ἐν G1722 ἀνδρείᾳ, καὶ G2532 ἄνθρωπος, G444 ὃς G3739 οὐκ G3756 ἐμόχθησεν ἐν G1722 αὐτῷ, G846 δώσει G1325 αὐτῷ G846 μερίδα G3310 αὐτοῦ. G846 Καί G2532 γε G1065 τοῦτο G5124 ματαιότης G3153 καὶ G2532 πονηρία G4189 μεγάλη. G3173 [22] Ὅτι G3754 τί G5101 γίνεται G1096 τῷ G3588 ἀνθρώπῳ G444 ἐν G1722 παντὶ G3956 μόχθῳ G3449 αὐτοῦ G846 καὶ G2532 ἐν G1722 προαιρέσει καρδίας G2588 αὐτοῦ, G846 ᾧ G3739 αὐτὸς G846 μοχθεῖ ὑπὸ G5259 τὸν G3588 ἥλιον; G2246 [23] Ὅτι G3754 πᾶσαι G3956 αἱ G3588 ἡμέραι G2250 αὐτοῦ G846 ἀλγημάτων καὶ G2532 θυμοῦ G2372 περισπασμὸς αὐτοῦ, G846 καί G2532 γε G1065 ἐν G1722 νυκτὶ G3571 οὐ G3756 κοιμᾶται G2837 ἡ G3588 καρδία G2588 αὐτοῦ. G846 Καί G2532 γε G1065 τοῦτο G5124 ματαιότης G3153 ἐστίν. G2076 [24] Οὐκ G3756 ἔστιν G2076 ἀγαθὸν G18 ἐν G1722 ἀνθρώπῳ· G444 ὃ G3739 φάγεται G5315 καὶ G2532 ὃ G3739 πίεται G4095 καὶ G2532 ὃ G3739 δείξει G1166 τῇ G3588 ψυχῇ G5590 αὐτοῦ, G846 ἀγαθὸν G18 ἐν G1722 μόχθῳ G3449 αὐτοῦ. G846 Καί G2532 γε G1065 τοῦτο G5124 εἶδον G1492 ἐγὼ G1473 ὅτι G3754 ἀπὸ G575 χειρὸς G5495 τοῦ G3588 θεοῦ G2316 ἐστιν· G2076 [25] ὅτι G3754 τίς G5101 φάγεται G5315 καὶ G2532 τίς G5101 φείσεται G5339 πάρεξ αὐτοῦ; G846 [26] Ὅτι G3754 τῷ G3588 ἀνθρώπῳ G444 τῷ G3588 ἀγαθῷ G18 πρὸ G4253 προσώπου G4383 αὐτοῦ G846 ἔδωκεν G1325 σοφίαν G4678 καὶ G2532 γνῶσιν G1108 καὶ G2532 εὐφροσύνην· G2167 καὶ G2532 τῷ G3588 ἁμαρτάνοντι G264 ἔδωκεν G1325 περισπασμὸν τοῦ G3588 προσθεῖναι G4369 καὶ G2532 τοῦ G3588 συναγαγεῖν G4863 τοῦ G3588 δοῦναι G1325 τῷ G3588 ἀγαθῷ G18 πρὸ G4253 προσώπου G4383 τοῦ G3588 θεοῦ· G2316 ὅτι G3754 καί G2532 γε G1065 τοῦτο G5124 ματαιότης G3153 καὶ G2532 προαίρεσις πνεύματος. G4151
Septuaginta, in place of Byzantine Greek New Testament