Ecclesiastes 2:13

In 11 translations

BSB

And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness:

KJV

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.that…: Heb. that there is an excellency in wisdom more than in folly, etc

WEB

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.

ASV

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

LSV

And I saw that there is an advantage to wisdom above folly, like the advantage of the light above the darkness.

YLT

And I saw that there is an advantage to wisdom above folly, like the advantage of the light above the darkness.

DBY

And I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as light excelleth darkness.

DRC

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

GNV

Then I saw that there is profite in wisdome, more then in follie: as the light is more excellent then darkenes.

JPS

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

LXXE

And I saw that wisdom excels folly, as much as light excels darkness.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

וְרָאִ֣יתִי אָ֔נִי שֶׁיֵּ֥שׁ יִתְר֛וֹן לַֽחָכְמָ֖ה מִן־הַסִּכְל֑וּת כִּֽיתְר֥וֹן הָא֖וֹר מִן־הַחֹֽשֶׁךְ׃

LXX-Br

Καὶ εἶδον ἐγὼ ὅτι ἐστὶ περίσσεια τῇ σοφίᾳ ὑπὲρ τὴν ἀφροσύνην, ὡς περίσσεια τοῦ φωτὸς ὑπὲρ τὸ σκότος.

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Ephesians 5:8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
• Ecclesiastes 7:11–12Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun. For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
• Ecclesiastes 11:7Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
• Matthew 6:23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
• Luke 11:34–35Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness. Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
• Malachi 3:18–4:2So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
• Psalms 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
• Proverbs 4:18–19The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.
• Ecclesiastes 7:19Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
• Proverbs 4:5–7Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may…
• Ecclesiastes 9:16And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”
• Proverbs 16:16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
• Ecclesiastes 9:18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
• Psalms 119:130The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).