Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

Ecclesiastes 2:15

Death and lossDiscouragement and depressionWisdom

13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

14 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.

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.

16 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.

17 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.

Read the whole chapter

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
So I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?” And I said to myself that this too is futile.
KJV
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.
WEB
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.
ASV
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.
DARBY
And I said in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool so will it happen even to me; and why was I then so wise? Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.
BLB
And I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, it will also happen to me. Then what [is] profit to me [in] being wise?” And I said in my heart, “This also [is] vapor.”
ÅB
Da sa jeg i mitt hjerte: Som det går dåren, så vil det også gå meg; hva skulle det da være til at jeg var så vis? Og jeg sa i mitt kjerte at også dette var tomhet.
OTB
Da sa jeg til meg selv: «Dårens skjebne vil også ramme meg. Hva er da fordelen med å være vis?» Jeg sa til meg selv: «Også dette er meningsløst.»
B1930
Da sa jeg i mitt hjerte: Som det går dåren, så vil det også gå mig; hvad skulde det da være til at jeg var så vis? Og jeg sa i mitt kjerte at også dette var tomhet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ecclesiastes 6:8

    For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 1:14

    I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 1:18–2:1

    For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 3:12

    Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 1:16

    I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 1:2

    Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 2:16

    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.

    Read in context