Ecclesiastes 2:1
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure;” and behold, this also was vanity.
World English Bible British
In The King James Version
In Context
2I said of laughter, “It is foolishness;” and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?”
Cross References
Genesis 11:7Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
Psalms 10:6He says in his heart, “I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble.”
Psalms 27:8When you said, “Seek my face,” my heart said to you, “I will seek your face, LORD.”
Ecclesiastes 1:16I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
Ecclesiastes 2:15Then I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 3:17I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”
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 →