Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

New Living Translation

The Futility of Pleasure

2 I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. ²So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” ³After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.

Read full chapter

Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

International Standard Version

A Testimony to Self-Indulgence

2 I told myself, “I will test you with pleasure, so enjoy yourself.” But this was pointless. ²“Senseless,” said I concerning laughter and pleasure, “How practical is this?” ³I decided to indulge in wine, while still remaining committed to wisdom. I also tried to indulge in foolishness, just enough to determine whether it was good for human beings under heaven given the short time of their lives.

Read full chapter

Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

New International Version

Pleasures Are Meaningless

2 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure^(A) to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. ²“Laughter,”^(B) I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” ³I tried cheering myself with wine,^(C) and embracing folly^(D)—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.