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Ecclesiastes 7:23

Wisdom

21 Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.

22 For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.

24 What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?

25 I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.

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

Compare

BSB
All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.
KJV
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
WEB
All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.
ASV
All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
DARBY
All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
BLB
All this I have tested by wisdom; I have said, “I shall be wise,” and it [was] far from me.
ÅB
Alt dette har jeg prøvd med visdom; Jeg sa: Jeg vil vinne visdom, men den er enda langt borte fra meg.
OTB
Jeg anvendte alt dette på visdom og sa: "Jeg vil være vis"— men det var utenfor min rekkevidde.
B1930
Alt dette har jeg prøvd med visdom; Jeg sa: Jeg vil vinne visdom, men den er ennu langt borte fra mig.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Romans 1:22

    Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

    Read in context

  • 1 Corinthians 1:20

    Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

    Read in context

  • Genesis 3:5

    “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 11:1–8

    King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women.

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 3:11–12

    So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice—

    Read in context