I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly – my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
NIV
I searched in my mind how to cheer my body with wine--yet at the same time having my mind hold its course and guide me with [human]wisdom--and how to lay hold of folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.
AMP
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
KJV
I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on the human race!
NIV
And I applied myself by heart and mind to seek and search out by [human]wisdom all human activity under heaven. It is a miserable business which God has given to the sons of man with which to busy themselves.
AMP
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
KJV
For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
NIV
For though I am away from you in body, yet I am with you in spirit, delighted at the sight of your [standing shoulder to shoulder in such] orderly array and the firmness and the solid front and steadfastness of your faith in Christ [that leaning of the entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].
AMP
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
KJV
Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
NIV
If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you. [Isa. 11:2; Eph. 1:17-20.]AMP
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
KJV
Listen! The LORD is calling to the city – and to fear your name is wisdom – "Heed the rod and the One who appointed it."
NIV
The voice of the Lord calls to the city [Jerusalem]--and it is sound wisdom to hear and fear Your name--Hear (heed) the rod and Him Who has appointed it.
AMP
The LORD's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.
KJV
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
NIV
As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all [kinds of] visions and dreams. [Luke 21:15; James 1:5-7.]AMP
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
KJV
Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
NIV
And I gave my mind to know [practical]wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it. [I Thess. 5:21.]AMP
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
KJV
