Ecclesiastes 7:25

23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:

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

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
WEB
I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.
ASV
I turned about, and my heart [was set] to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason [of things], and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.
DARBY
I turned, I and my heart, to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and reason, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness;
BLB
I also turned my heart to know, and to search out, and to seek wisdom and reason, and to know the evil of foolishness and the folly of madness.
ÅB
Jeg så meg om, og min attrå var å vinne kunnskap og å granske og søke etter visdom og klokskap og å forstå at ugudelighet er dårskap, og at dårskapen er galskap.
OTB
Så vendte jeg mitt sinn til å forstå, utforske og søke visdom og tingenes ordning, og å forstå dårskapens dårskap og galskapens dårskap.
B1930
Jeg så mig om, og min attrå var å vinne kunnskap og å granske og søke efter visdom og klokskap og å forstå at ugudelighet er dårskap, og at dårskapen er galskap.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ecclesiastes 10:13

    The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 7:13

    Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 2:15

    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.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 17:12

    Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 3:16–17

    And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 3:3–9

    Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 2:12

    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.

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 7:27

    Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:

    Read in context