“I saide of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
I said of laughter, [It is] mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
- King James Version
I said of laughter, "It is madness, and of pleasure, "What does it accomplish?""
- New American Standard Version (1995)
I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?
- American Standard Version (1901)
Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?
- Basic English Bible
I said of laughter, Madness! and of mirth, What availeth it?
- Darby Bible
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
- Webster's Bible
I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
- World English Bible
Of laughter I said, `Foolish!' and of mirth, `What [is] this it is doing?'
- Youngs Literal Bible
I said of laughter: 'It is mad'; and of mirth: 'What doth it accomplish?'
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Wesley's Notes for Ecclesiastes 2:2
2:2 It is mad - This is an act of madness, more fit for fools who know nothing, than for wise men in this sinful, and dangerous, and deplorable state of mankind. What doth it - What good doth it? Or how can it make men happy? I challenge all the Epicures in the world to give me a solid answer.