Ecclesiastes 2:2
1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!” But it proved to be futile.
I said of laughter, “It is folly,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”
3 I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
4 I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- I said of laughter, “It is folly,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”
- KJV
- I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
- WEB
- I said of laughter, “It is foolishness;” and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?”
- ASV
- I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?
- DARBY
- I said of laughter, Madness! and of mirth, What availeth it?
- BLB
- Of laughter, I said, “It is madness,” and of joy, “What [is] this accomplishing?”
- ÅB
- Til latteren sa jeg: Du er gal! Og til gleden: Hva gagn gjør du?
- OTB
- Jeg sa om latter: «Det er galskap,» og om glede: «Hva oppnår det?»
- B1930
- Til latteren sa jeg: Du er gal! Og til gleden: Hvad gagn gjør du?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 14:13
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 7:2–6
It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man, and the living should take this to heart.
Read in context1 Peter 4:2–4
Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
Read in contextAmos 6:3–6
You dismiss the day of calamity and bring near a reign of violence.
Read in contextIsaiah 22:12–13
On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.
Read in context