Ecclesiastes 2:13 “And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness:”

Ecclesiastes 2:13

And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness:

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

Then I saw that there is profite in wisdome, more then in follie: as the light is more excellent then darkenes.

Darby Translation

And I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as light excelleth darkness.

Young's Literal Translation

And I saw that there is an advantage to wisdom above folly, like the advantage of the light above the darkness.

Bible in Basic English

Then I saw that wisdom is better than foolish ways — as the light is better than the dark.

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Cross references

“I saw”

Ecclesiastes 9:16 Proverbs 4:5–7 Proverbs 16:16 Ecclesiastes 7:11 Ecclesiastes 7:12 Malachi 3:18

Ecclesiastes 9:16 · BSB

And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”

Proverbs 4:5–7 · BSB

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.

Proverbs 16:16 · BSB

How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

Ecclesiastes 7:11 · BSB

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 · BSB

For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

Malachi 3:18 · BSB

So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

“light”

Ephesians 5:8 Ecclesiastes 11:7 Matthew 6:23 Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119:130 Proverbs 4:18

Ephesians 5:8 · BSB

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Ecclesiastes 11:7 · BSB

Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

Matthew 6:23 · BSB

But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Psalm 119:105 · BSB

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:130 · BSB

The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.

Proverbs 4:18 · BSB

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

Also

Ecclesiastes 9:18 Ecclesiastes 7:19

Ecclesiastes 9:18 · BSB

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Ecclesiastes 7:19 · BSB

Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

12Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished?

14The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

Read Ecclesiastes 2