Ecclesiastes 2:3 - Revised Standard Version (RSV-CI)

³ I searched with my mind how to cheer my body with wine—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven during the few days of their life.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

³ 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

³ 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)

³ 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

³ 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

³ 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

³ 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 to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my sojourning are a hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning.”

Job 14:14

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

Psalm 104:15

and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread to strengthen man's heart.

Proverbs 20:1

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

Ecclesiastes 1:17

And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 10:19

Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

The end of the matter; all has 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 find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God;

Ecclesiastes 5:18

Behold, what I have seen to be good and to be fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life which God has given him, for this is his lot.

Ecclesiastes 6:12

For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 7:18

It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand; for he who fears God shall come forth from them all.

Ecclesiastes 7:25

I turned my mind to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the sum of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness which is madness.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

And I commend enjoyment, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and enjoy himself, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of life which God gives him under the sun.

Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters; for 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 God and mammon.

Ephesians 5:18

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,

Judges 9:13

But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine which cheers gods and men, and go to sway over the trees?’

1 Samuel 25:36

And Abigail came to Nabal; and lo, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk; so she told him nothing at all until the morning light.