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Ecclesiastes 1:16-2:3
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 1:16-2:3
New International Version
16 I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me;(A) I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom,(B) and also of madness and folly,(C) but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
Pleasures Are Meaningless
2 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure(F) to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,”(G) I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine,(H) and embracing folly(I)—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
Ecclesiastes 1:16-2:3
King James Version
Ecclesiastes 1:16-2:3
King James Version
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
2 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
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.
New International Version (NIV) 
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