Ecclesiastes 2:3
I decided in my heart to withdraw my flesh from wine, so that I might bring my mind to wisdom, and turn away from foolishness, until I see what is useful for the sons of men, and what they ought to do under the sun, during the number of the days of their life.
Catholic Public Domain Version
In The King James Version
In Context
4I magnified my works. I built houses for myself, and I planted vineyards.
Cross References
Genesis 47:9He responded, “The days of my sojourn are one hundred and thirty years, few and unworthy, and they do not reach even to the days of the sojourning of my fathers.”
Job 14:14Do you suppose that a dead man will live again? On each of the days in which I now battle, I wait until my transformation occurs.
Proverbs 20:1It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.
Proverbs 31:4Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.
Ecclesiastes 2:24Is it not better to eat and drink, and to show his soul the good things of his labors? And this is from the hand of God.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:2-12
Vanity of Worldly Pleasure. 1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me… Read the whole commentary →