Ecclesiastes 2:1
I said in my heart, I will give you joy for a test; so take your pleasure--but it was to no purpose.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
In Context
2Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?
Cross References
Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down and take away the sense of their language, so that they will not be able to make themselves clear to one another.
Psalms 10:6He has said in his heart, I will not be moved: through all generations I will never be in trouble.
Psalms 27:8When you said, Make search for my face, my heart said to you, For your face will I make my search.
Ecclesiastes 1:16I said to my heart, See, I have become great and am increased in wisdom more than any who were before me in Jerusalem--yes, my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.
Ecclesiastes 2:15Then said I in my heart: As it comes to the foolish man, so will it come to me; so why have I been wise overmuch? Then I said in my heart: This again is to no purpose.
Ecclesiastes 3:17I said in my heart, God will be judge of the good and of the bad; because a time for every purpose and for every work has been fixed by him.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:1
Solomon having pronounced all vanity, and particularly knowledge and learning, which he was so far from giving himself joy of that he found the increase of it did but increase his sorrow, in this chapter he goes on to show what reason he has to be tired of this world, and with what little reason most men are fond of it. I. He shows that there is no true happiness and satisfaction to be had in mirth and pleasure, and the delights of sense, ver. 1-11 . II. He reconsiders the pretensions of wisdom, and allows it to… Read the whole commentary →