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This is the text and a scan of the actual, original, first printing of the 1611 King James Version, the 'HE' Bible, for Ecclesiastes Chapter 2. The KJV does not get more original or authentic than this. View Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 as text-only. Click to switch to the standard King James Version of Ecclesiastes Chapter 2
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CHAP. II.
1 The vanitie of humane courses in the workes of pleasure. 12 Though the wise be better then the foole, yet both haue one euent. 18 The vanitie of humane labour, in leauing it they know not to whom. 24 Nothing better then ioy in our labour, but that is Gods gift.
2 I saide of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3 I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe vnto wine, (yet acquainting mine heart with wisedome) and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sonnes of men, which they should doe vnder the heauen all the dayes of their life.3
4 I made me great workes, I builded mee houses, I planted mee Uineyards.
5 I made mee gardens & orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kinde of fruits.
6 I made mee pooles of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth foorth trees:
7 I got me seruants and maydens, and had seruants borne in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattell, aboue all that were in Ierusalem before me.7
8 I gathered mee also siluer and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the prouinces: I gate mee men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sonnes of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.8
11 Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to doe: and behold, all was vanitie, and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit vnder the Sunne.11
12 ¶ And I turned my selfe to behold wisedome, and madnesse and folly: for what can the man doe, that commeth after the king? euen that which hath bene already done.12
13 Then I saw that wisedome excelleth folly, as farre as light excelleth darkenesse.13
14 The wise mans eyes are in his head, but the foole walketh in darknes: and I my selfe perceiued also that one euent happeneth to them all.14
15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the foole, so it happeneth euen to me, and why was I then more wise? then I said in my heart, That this also is vanitie.15
18 ¶ Yea I hated all my labour which I had taken vnder the Sunne: because I should leaue it vnto the man that shalbe after mee.18
19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a foole? yet shall he haue rule ouer all my labour, wherein I haue laboured, and wherein I haue shewed my selfe wise vnder the Sunne. This is also vanitie.19
21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisedome and in knowledge, and in equitie: yet to a man that hath not laboured therein, shall hee leaue it for his portion; This also is vanitie, and a great euill.21
22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart wherein hee hath laboured vnder the Sunne?22
23 For all his dayes are sorrowes, and his traueile, griefe; yea his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanitie.23
24 ¶ There is nothing better for a man, then that he should eat and drinke, and that he should make his soule enioy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.24
25 For who can eate? or who else can hasten hereunto more then I?
26 For God giueth to a man that is good in his sight, wisedome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner hee giueth traueile, to gather and to heape vp that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.26
Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 Sidenote References (from Original 1611 KJV Bible):
3 Chap. 1. 17. , Hebr. to draw my flesh with wine. , Hebr. the number of the dayes of their life.
7 Heb. sonnes of my house.
8 1. King.9. 28. and 10. 4. , Hebr. musicall instrument, and instruments.
11 Chap.1.3.
12 Chap. 1. 17. and 7. 23. , Or, in those things which haue bene already done.
13 Hebr. That there is an excellencie in Wisedome more then in folly,&c.
14 Prou. 17. 24. chap. 8. 1.
15 Hebr. happeneth to me, euen to me.
18 Hebr. laboured.
19 Psal.49. 11. &c.
21 Hebr. giue.
22 Chap.1.3. and 3.9.
23 Iob 14.1.
24 Cha. 3.12, 22. and 5. 17. and 8. 15. , Or, delight his senses.
26 Hebr. before him. , Iob 27. 17.
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