Ecclesiastes 2:12 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?

Bible > Ecclesiastes > Chap 2 > Verse 12

◄ Ecclesiastes 2:12 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?

New American Standard Bible
So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what will the man do who will come after the king except what has already been done?

King James Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly, for what will the man be like who comes after the king? He will do what has already been done.

International Standard Version
Next I turned to examine wisdom, insanity, and foolishness, because what can a person do who succeeds the king except what has already been accomplished?

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.

Douay-Rheims Bible
I passed further to behold wisdom, and errors and folly, (What is man, said I, that he can follow the King his maker?)

Darby Bible Translation
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly; for what shall the man do that cometh after the king? that which hath already been done.

Young's Literal Translation
And I turned to see wisdom, and madness, and folly, but what is the man who cometh after the king? that which is already -- they have done it!

Jump to Previous

Ago Already Consider Except Folly Foolish King's Madness Search Successor Thoughts Turned Ways Wisdom

Jump to Next

Ago Already Consider Except Folly Foolish King's Madness Search Successor Thoughts Turned Ways Wisdom

Context

The Wise and the Foolish

12And 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. 13Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. 14The 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. 15Then 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. 16For 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. 17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is worked under the sun is grievous to me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 1:9
The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:10
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time, which was before us.

Ecclesiastes 1:17
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 3:15
That which has been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and God requires that which is past.

Treasury of Scripture

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.

i turned

Ecclesiastes 1:17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 7:25 I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly...

even that which hath already been done

Ecclesiastes 2:25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?

Strong's Concordance

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.

Topical Bible

Ago Already Behold Consider Except Folly Foolish King's Madness Myself Search Successor Wisdom

Resources

Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 Verse 12

Alphabetical: after already also and been can come consider do done except folly for has I king king's madness man more my So successor than the Then thoughts to turned What who will wisdom

OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:12 I turned myself to consider wisdom madness (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)

Ecclesiastes 2:11

Ecclesiastes 2:13

Top of Page

Top of Page