Devine Scripture

Ecclesiastes 8:16

Ecclesiastes chapter 8 · verse 16 in three public-domain English translations with cross-references

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes),

KJV

King James Version · 1611

When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes),

Context

v.15Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.

v.16This passage

v.17then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

Cross references

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

  • Ecclesiastes 8:7

    for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?

  • Ecclesiastes 1:13

    And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:25

    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.

  • Psalms 127:2

    It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; Forso he giveth unto his beloved sleep.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:9

    All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:12

    The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.