12I passed further to behold wisdom, and errors and folly, (What is man, said I, that he can follow the King his maker?)


In Context

9 And I surpassed in riches all that were before me in Jerusalem: my wisdom also remained with me.

10 And whatsoever my eyes desired, I refused them not: and I withheld not my heart from enjoying every pleasure, and delighting itself in the things which I had prepared: and esteemed this my portion, to make use of my own labour.

11 And when I turned myself to all the works which my hands had wrought, and to the labours wherein I had laboured in vain, I saw in all things vanity, and vexation of mind, and that nothing was lasting under the sun.

12 I passed further to behold wisdom, and errors and folly, (What is man, said I, that he can follow the King his maker?)

13 And I saw that wisdom excelled folly, as much as light differeth from darkness.

14 The eyes of a wise man are in his head: the fool walketh in darkness: and I learned that they were to die both alike.

Ecclesiastes 2:12 in Other Translations

The King James Version of the Holy Bible

2:12And 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.

The New International Version of the Holy Bible

2:12Then 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?

The American Standard Version of the Holy Bible

2:12And 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.

The Darby Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

2:12And 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.

The English Revised Version of the Holy Bible

2:12And 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.

The Webster Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

2:12And 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.

The World English Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

2:12I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king's successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.

The Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible

2:12And I turned to see wisdom, and madness, and folly, but what is the man who cometh after the king? that which is already — they have done it!

The American King James Version of the Holy Bible

2:12And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that comes after the king? even that which has been already done.