Ecclesiastes 7:25 web — I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to kno…

World English Bible

"I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness."

— Ecclesiastes 7:25, World English Bible

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Ecclesiastes 7:25 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 7 — Context

22

for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

23

All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise;" but it was far from me.

24

That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

25

I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

26

I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

27

"Behold, I have found this," says the Preacher, "one to another, to find out the scheme;

28

which my soul still seeks; but I have not found. One man among a thousand have I found; but I have not found a woman among all those.

Ecclesiastes 7:25 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 7:25 say?
Ecclesiastes 7:25 in the World English Bible reads: “I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 7:25 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 7:25 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, verse 25.
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 7:25.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 7:25 in?
Ecclesiastes 7:25 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 7:25?
Ecclesiastes 7:25 reads (WEB): “I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.” 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.
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