Ecclesiastes 2:12
American King James Version (AKJV)
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that comes after the king? even that which has been already done.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.
Berean Study Bible (BSB)
Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished?
Bible in Basic English (BBE)
And I went again in search of wisdom and of foolish ways. What may the man do who comes after the king? The thing which he has done before.
Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)
I continued on, so as to contemplate wisdom, as well as error and foolishness. “What is man,” I said, “that he would be able to follow his Maker, the King?”
Darby Bible (DBY)
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly; for what shall the man do that cometh after the king? that which hath already been done.
Douay–Rheims Version (DRV)
I passed further to behold wisdom, and errors and folly, (What is man, said I, that he can follow the King his maker?)
English Revised Version (ERV)
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly; for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
Free Bible Version (FBV)
So I started to think about wisdom—and madness and foolishness. For what can anyone who comes after the king do that hasn't already been done?
JPS Tanakh 1917 Old Testament / Weymouth New Testament (JPS / WNT)
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly; for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
King James Version (KJV)
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
New Heart English Bible (NHEB)
I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly. For what can the man who comes after the king do? Just that which he has already done.
Webster Bible (Webster)
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
World English Bible (WEB)
I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king's successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.
World Messianic Bible British Edition (WMBB)
I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly; for what can the king’s successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
And I turned to see wisdom, and madness, and folly, but what is the man who cometh after the king? that which is already — they have done it!