Ecclesiastes 2:3 - Revised Version with Apocrypha 1895

I searched in mine heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, mine 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 the heaven all the days of their life.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

I searched in my mind how to cheer my body with wine–yet at the same time having my mind hold its course and guide me with [human] wisdom–and how to lay hold of folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Common English Bible

I tried cheering myself with wine and by embracing folly—with wisdom still guiding me—until I might see what is really worth doing in the few days that human beings have under heaven.

Catholic Public Domain Version

I decided in my heart to withdraw my flesh from wine, so that I might bring my mind to wisdom, and turn away from foolishness, until I see what is useful for the sons of men, and what they ought to do under the sun, during the number of the days of their life.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind to wisdom, and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for the children of men: and what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their life.

Ecclesiastes 2:3 Cross References

Genesis 47:9

And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

Job 14:14

If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, Till my release should come.

Psalm 104:15

And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, And oil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengtheneth man's heart.

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.

Ecclesiastes 1:17

And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 10:19

A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life: and money answereth all things.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 2:24

There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion.

Ecclesiastes 6:12

For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 7:18

It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

Ecclesiastes 7:25

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:

Ecclesiastes 8:15

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.

Matthew 6:24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Ephesians 5:18

And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;

Judges 9:13

And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?

1 Samuel 25:36

And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.