American Standard Version of 1901
Versliste
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh {Or, after the king, even him whom they made king long ago? Or, after the king in those things which have been already done?}after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.
Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.
For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool!
So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom {Or, yea, more than all}above all that were before me {Hebrew: over.}in Jerusalem; yea, my heart {Hebrew: hath seen abundantly.}hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the {Hebrew: strength.}hardness of his face is changed.
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
For {Or, he seeth that wise men &c.}he shall see it. Wise men die;The fool and the brutish alike perish,And leave their wealth to others.
The memory of the righteous is blessed;But the name of the wicked shall rot.
For he shall never be moved;The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which {Many ancient authorities read is broken up.}is for you: this do in remembrance of me.
In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou consume the righteous with the wicked?
He that loveth his {life in these places represent two different Greek words}life loseth it; and he that hateth his {life in these places represent two different Greek words}life in this world shall keep it unto {life in these places represent two different Greek words}life eternal.
{Or, If in this life only we have hoped in Christ &c.}If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may {Or, have abundance}have it abundantly.