Ecclesiastes 6:8 — Compare All Translations

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

For what advantage [is] to the wise above the fool? What to the poor who knoweth to walk before the living?

English ASV

For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?

English Amplified

For what advantage has the wise man over the fool [being worldly-wise is not the secret to happiness]? What advantage has the poor man who has learned how to walk before the living [publicly, with men's eyes upon him; being poor is not the secret to happiness either]?

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

For what advantage has the wise man over the fool [being worldly-wise is not the secret to happiness]? What advantage has the poor man who has learned how to walk before the living [publicly, with men's eyes upon him; being poor is not the secret to happiness either]?

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What gain comes to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others?

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

What advantage then does the wise person have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

For what advantage hath the wise above the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

English EASY 2024

Does a wise person have a better life than a foolish person? No, he does not! Does it help a poor person if he knows how to live well? No!

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

In the same way a wise person is no better than a fool is. It is better to be a poor person who knows how to accept life as it is.

For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living?

English GNT (Good News Translation)

How are the wise better off than fools? What good does it do the poor to know how to face life?

English God's Word - GW 1995

What advantage does a wise person have over a fool? What advantage does a poor person have in knowing how to face life?

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? What [advantage] is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?

English KJV 1611

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

English LSB

For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the afflicted man have, knowing how to walk before the living?

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

For what benefit is there for the wise over the fool? And what more does the poor man know who walks before others?

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them.

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

For what advantage has the wise man over the fool, or what advantage has the poor man in knowing how to conduct himself in life?

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive?

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

What advantage does a wise man have over someone who is foolish? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to act toward others?

English NIV

What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others?

English NKJ 1982

For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, Who knows how to walk before the living?

English NLT

Considering this, do wise people really have any advantage over fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others?

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

For what advantage have the wise over fools? And what do the poor have who know how to conduct themselves before the living?

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living?

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

Both have the same problem, yet the poor man who is wise lives a far better life.

English Tyndale 1537

For what hath the wise more than the fool? What helpeth it the poor, that he knoweth to walk before the living?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 — Compare Translations