Ecclesiastes 7:23

Ecclesiastes 7:23 in 6 English translations. Each links through to the full chapter for context.

New International Version (NIV)

23All this I tested by wisdom and I said,

“I am determined to be wise”—

but this was beyond me.

23I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, “I will be wise,” but wisdom was far from me.

23I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.

23I have tested all this with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise [independently of God],” but true wisdom was far from me.

23All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.

23I used wisdom to test all these things. I said,

“I’ve made up my mind to be wise.”

But it was more than I could accomplish.