Ecclesiastes 2:1
American King James I said in my heart, Go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
American Standard Version I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity.
King James I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
World English Bible I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure;” and behold, this also was vanity.
Ecclesiastes 2:2
American King James I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What does it?
American Standard Version I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?
King James 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?”
Ecclesiastes 2:3
American King James I sought in my heart to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my 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 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.
King James 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.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:4
American King James I made me great works; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards:
American Standard Version I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;
King James I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
World English Bible I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.
Ecclesiastes 2:5
American King James I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
American Standard Version I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;
King James I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
World English Bible I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.
Ecclesiastes 2:6
American King James I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that brings forth trees:
American Standard Version I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared;
King James I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
World English Bible I made myself pools of water, to water the forest where trees were grown.
Ecclesiastes 2:7
American King James I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
American Standard Version I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;
King James I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:8
American King James I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
American Standard Version I gathered me also silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I gat me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
King James I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:9
American King James So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
American Standard Version So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
King James So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
World English Bible So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.
Ecclesiastes 2:10
American King James And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor.
American Standard Version And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor.
King James And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:11
American King James Then I looked on all the works that my hands had worked, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
American Standard Version Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
King James Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:12
American King James And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that comes after the king? even that which has been already done.
American Standard Version And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what `can' the man `do' that cometh after the king? `even' that which hath been done long ago.
King James And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:13
American King James 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.
King James 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:14
American King James The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walks in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happens to them all.
American Standard Version The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.
King James The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:15
American King James Then said I 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, that this also is vanity.
American Standard Version Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.
King James Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:16
American King James For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dies the wise man? as the fool.
American Standard Version For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool!
King James For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
World English Bible 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!
Ecclesiastes 2:17
American King James Therefore I hated life; because the work that is worked under the sun is grievous to me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
American Standard Version So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
King James Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:18
American King James Yes, I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it to the man that shall be after me.
American Standard Version And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
King James Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
World English Bible I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.
Ecclesiastes 2:19
American King James And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
American Standard Version And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
King James And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:20
American King James Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun.
American Standard Version Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun.
King James Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
World English Bible Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:21
American King James For there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that has not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
American Standard Version For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
King James For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:22
American King James For what has man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he has labored under the sun?
American Standard Version For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun?
King James For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
World English Bible For what does a man have of all his labor and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 2:23
American King James For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yes, his heart takes not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
American Standard Version For all his days are `but' sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.
King James For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:24
American King James There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
American Standard Version 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.
King James There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
World English Bible 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:25
American King James For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
American Standard Version For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?
King James For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
World English Bible For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?
Ecclesiastes 2:26
American King James For God gives to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
American Standard Version For to the man that pleaseth him `God' giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
King James For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
World English Bible 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.