Ecclesiastes 7:25

What does Ecclesiastes 7:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 7:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I gave my mind to knowledge and to searching for wisdom and the reason of things, and to the discovery that sin is foolish, and that to be foolish is to be without one's senses.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I have turned round, also my heart, to know and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and reason, and to know the wrong of folly, and of foolishness the madness.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I turned, I and my heart, to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and reason, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness;

Context

v.24That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?

v.25This passage

v.26And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Samuel 13:12

    And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

  • Genesis 34:7

    And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

  • Proverbs 26:11

    As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So isa fool that repeateth his folly.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:12

    And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for whatcanthe mandothat cometh after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.

  • 2 Peter 3:3

    knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts,

  • Ecclesiastes 2:1

    I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity.

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