Scripture · Old Testament
Ecclesiastes 2:3
Ecclesiastes 2:3 is verse 3 of Ecclesiastes chapter 2, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.
Berean Standard Bible
I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
King James Version
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.
World English Bible
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 2:1–5 · Berean Standard Bible
1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!” But it proved to be futile.
2 I said of laughter, “It is folly,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”
3 I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
4 I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
5 I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 2Hebrew words
Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
Study Ecclesiastes 2:3
Cross-references
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.
Ecclesiastes 1:17So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.
1 Samuel 25:36When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.
Proverbs 20:1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Proverbs 31:4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
Proverbs 31:5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
Ephesians 5:18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Ecclesiastes 7:18It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.
Proverbs 23:29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes?
Proverbs 23:30Those who linger over wine, who go to taste mixed drinks.
Proverbs 23:31Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
Proverbs 23:32In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.
Proverbs 23:33Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will utter perversities.
Proverbs 23:34You will be like one sleeping on the high seas or lying on the top of a mast:
Proverbs 23:35“They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I did not know it! When can I wake up to search for another drink?”
Matthew 6:24No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
2 Corinthians 6:15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
2 Corinthians 6:16What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
2 Corinthians 6:17“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
Ecclesiastes 6:12For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 12:13When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
Genesis 47:9“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”
Job 14:14When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes.
Psalms 90:9For all our days decline in Your fury; we finish our years with a sigh.
Psalms 90:10The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty if we are strong— yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Psalms 90:11Who knows the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear You are due.
Psalms 90:12So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.