Ecclesiastes 2:12 - The Message12-14 And then I took a hard look at what’s smart and what’s stupid. What’s left to do after you’ve been king? That’s a hard act to follow. You just do what you can, and that’s it. But I did see that it’s better to be smart than stupid, just as light is better than darkness. Even so, though the smart ones see where they’re going and the stupid ones grope in the dark, they’re all the same in the end. One fate for all—and that’s it. See the chapterMore versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 176912 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. See the chapterAmplified Bible - Classic Edition12 So I turned to consider [human] wisdom and madness and folly; for what can the man do who succeeds the king? Nothing but what has been done already. See the chapterAmerican Standard Version (1901)12 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. See the chapterCommon English Bible12 My reflections then turned to wisdom, madness, and folly. What can the king’s heir do but what has already been done? See the chapterCatholic Public Domain Version12 I continued on, so as to contemplate wisdom, as well as error and foolishness. "What is man," I said, "that he would be able to follow his Maker, the King?" See the chapter |