Ecclesiastes 2:12 — Compare Translations

27 translations compared side by side

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.

English Amplified

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.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

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.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

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

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

Then I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly, for what will the king’s successor be like? He will do what has already been done.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly; for what shall the man [do] that cometh after the king? that which hath already been done.

English EASY 2024

Then I decided to think about wisdom. I also thought about foolish ways to live. I thought, ‘The next king will not do any more than I have already done.’

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

Then I decided to think about what it means to be wise or to be foolish or to do crazy things. And I thought about the one who will be the next king. The new king will do the same as the kings before him.

So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

After all, a king can only do what previous kings have done. So I started thinking about what it meant to be wise or reckless or foolish.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Then I turned {my attention} to experience wisdom, madness, and foolishness. For instance, what can the man who replaces the king do? Only what has already been done.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

Then I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly, for what will the man be like who comes after the king? He will do what has already been done.

English KJV 1611

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.

English LSB

So I turned to see wisdom, madness, and simpleminded folly. What will the man do who will come after the king except what has already been done?

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

Then I turned to observe wisdom, the folly of ideas, and foolish behavior. For what else can a person do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what will the man do who will come after the king except what has already been done?

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

For what will the man do who is to come after the king? What men have already done! I went on to the consideration of wisdom, madness and folly.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king’s successor do than what the king has already done?

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

I decided to think about wisdom. I also thought about foolish pleasure. What more can a new king do? Can he do anything more than others have already done?

English NIV

Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?

English NKJ 1982

Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?— Only what he has already done.

English NLT

So I decided to compare wisdom and folly, and anyone else would come to the same conclusions I did.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what can the one do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what he has already done.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

Now I began a study of the comparative virtues of wisdom and folly, and anyone else would come to the same conclusion I did—

English Tyndale 1537

Then turned I me to consider wisdom, error and foolishness, for what is he among men, that might be compared to me the king in such work?