Ecclesiastes 2:2 bbe — Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?

Bible in Basic English

"Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?"

— Ecclesiastes 2:2, Bible in Basic English

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Ecclesiastes 2:2 in Other Translations

2 versions All translations

KJV
“I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?”
King James Version · Read this chapter in KJV
ASV
“I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it? ”
American Standard Version · Read this chapter in ASV

Ecclesiastes 2 — Context

I said in my heart, I will give you joy for a test; so take your pleasure--but it was to no purpose.

Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?

I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.

I undertook great works, building myself houses and planting vine-gardens.

I made myself gardens and fruit gardens, planting in them fruit-trees of all sorts.

Ecclesiastes 2:2 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does Ecclesiastes 2:2 say?

Ecclesiastes 2:2 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?”

Where is Ecclesiastes 2:2 in the Bible?

Ecclesiastes 2:2 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 2, verse 2.

Who wrote Ecclesiastes?

Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.

What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?

Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.

What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?

Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 2:2.

What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 2:2 in?

Ecclesiastes 2:2 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.

How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 2:2?

Ecclesiastes 2:2 reads (BBE): “Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.

Ecclesiastes 2:2 bbe — Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?

Read in Another Translation

Ecclesiastes 2:2 in Other Translations

Ecclesiastes 2 — Context

Ecclesiastes 2:2 — Frequently Asked Questions

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