Ecclesiastes 2:13 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

And I saw that there is an advantage to wisdom above folly, like the advantage of the light above the darkness.

English ASV

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

English Amplified

Then I saw that even [human] wisdom [that brings sorrow] is better than [the pleasures of] folly as far as light is better than darkness.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

Then I saw that even [human] wisdom [that brings sorrow] is better than [the pleasures of] folly as far as light is better than darkness.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness:

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

And I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as light excelleth darkness.

English EASY 2024

I realized that it is better to be wise than foolish. In the same way, the light is better than the dark.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

I saw that wisdom is better than foolishness in the same way that light is better than darkness.

Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

Oh, I know, “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

English God's Word - GW 1995

But I saw that wisdom has an advantage over foolishness as light has an advantage over darkness.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness.

English KJV 1611

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

English LSB

And I saw that there is an advantage in wisdom over simpleminded folly as light has an advantage over darkness.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

Then I saw that there is more benefit in wisdom than in foolishness, more benefit in light than in darkness.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.

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

And I saw that wisdom has the advantage over folly as much as light has the advantage over darkness.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

I saw that wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

English NIV

I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.

English NKJ 1982

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness.

English NLT

Wisdom is of more value than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

that wisdom is of more value than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness; for the wise man sees, while the fool is blind.

English Tyndale 1537

And I saw that wisdom excelleth foolishness, as far as light doth darkness.

Ecclesiastes 2:13 — Compare Translations