Ecclesiastes 2:3 “I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still…”

Ecclesiastes 2:3

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

World English Bible

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

American Standard Version

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.

Geneva Bible 1599

I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe to wine, and to leade mine heart in wisdome, and to take holde of follie, till I might see where is that goodnesse of the children of men, which they enioy vnder the sunne: the whole nomber of the dayes of their life.

Darby Translation

I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.

Young's Literal Translation

I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where [is] this — the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.

Bible in Basic English

I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.

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Cross references

“sought”

Ecclesiastes 1:17 1 Samuel 25:36

Ecclesiastes 1:17 · BSB

So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

1 Samuel 25:36 · BSB

When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.

“yet”

Proverbs 20:1 Ephesians 5:18 Proverbs 31:4 Proverbs 31:5

Proverbs 20:1 · BSB

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Ephesians 5:18 · BSB

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Proverbs 31:4 · BSB

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

Proverbs 31:5 · BSB

lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

“and to lay”

Ecclesiastes 7:18 Proverbs 23:29–35 Matthew 6:24 2 Corinthians 6:15–17

Ecclesiastes 7:18 · BSB

It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.

Proverbs 23:29–35 · BSB

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes?

Matthew 6:24 · BSB

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

2 Corinthians 6:15–17 · BSB

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

“till”

Ecclesiastes 6:12 Ecclesiastes 12:13

Ecclesiastes 6:12 · BSB

For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 · BSB

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

“all”

Genesis 47:9 Job 14:14 Psalm 90:9–12

Genesis 47:9 · BSB

“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”

Job 14:14 · BSB

When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes.

Psalm 90:9–12 · BSB

For all our days decline in Your fury; we finish our years with a sigh.

Also

Ecclesiastes 7:25 Ecclesiastes 2:24 Ecclesiastes 3:12–13

Ecclesiastes 7:25 · 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.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 · BSB

Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:12–13 · BSB

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live,

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

In context

2I said of laughter, “It is folly,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”

4I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

Read Ecclesiastes 2