New International Version (NIV)
12Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom,
and also madness and folly.
What more can the king’s successor do
than what has already been done?
Ecclesiastes 2:12
Ecclesiastes 2:12 in 10 English translations. Each links through to the full chapter for context.
New American Standard Bible - NASB (NASB2020)
12So I turned to consider wisdom, insanity, and foolishness; for what will the man do who will come after the king, except what has already been done?
Amplified Bible (AMP)
12So I turned to consider [secular] wisdom, madness, and folly; for what will the man do who succeeds the king? Nothing except what has already been done.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
12Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished?
American Standard Version (ASV)
12And 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.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
12And I turned to beholde wisedome, and madnes and follie: (for who is the man that will come after the King in things, which men nowe haue done?)
World English Bible, American English Edition, without Strong's Numbers (WEBUS)
12I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly; for what can the king’s successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
12I decided to think about wisdom.
I also thought about foolish pleasure.
What more can a new king do?
Can he do anything more than others have already done?
EasyEnglish Bible 2024 (EASY)
12Then I decided to think about wisdom.
I also thought about foolish ways to live.
I thought, ‘The next king will not do any more
than I have already done.’
Literal Standard Version (LSV)
12And I turned to see wisdom, and madness, and folly, but what [is] the man who comes after the king? That which [is] already—they have done it!