3
I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—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.
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.
3
I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine--my heart still guiding me with wisdom--and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.
3
After 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.
3
With the help of a bottle of wine and all the wisdom I could muster, I tried my level best to penetrate the absurdity of life. I wanted to get a handle on anything useful we mortals might do during the years we spend on this earth. I Never Said No to Myself
3
I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life with wine and how to grasp folly-my mind still guiding me with wisdom-until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
Ecclesiastes 2:3 In-Context
1
I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless.
2
“Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?”
3
I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—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.
4
I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
5
I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
Cross References 2
1.
ver 24-25; S Judges 9:13; Ruth 3:3; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 5:18; Ecclesiastes 8:15