Ecclesiastes 7:23

NETBible

I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, “I am determined 1  to comprehend this” 2  – but it was beyond my grasp. 3 

NIV ©

All this I tested by wisdom and I said, "I am determined to be wise"—but this was beyond me.

NASB ©

I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me.

NLT ©

All along I have tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, "I am determined to be wise." But it didn’t really work.

MSG ©

I tested everything in my search for wisdom. I set out to be wise, but it was beyond me,

BBE ©

All this I have put to the test by wisdom; I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.

NRSV ©

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

NKJV ©

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

KJV
All this
<02090>
have I proved
<05254> (8765)
by wisdom
<02451>_:
I said
<0559> (8804)_,
I will be wise
<02449> (8799)_;
but it [was] far
<07350>
from me.
NASB ©
I tested
<5254>
all
<3605>
this
<2090>
with wisdom
<2451>
,
and
I said
<559>
, "I will be wise
<2449>
," but it was far
<7350>
from me.
LXXM
panta
<3956> 
A-APN
tauta
<3778> 
D-APN
epeirasa
<3985> 
V-AAI-1S
en
<1722> 
PREP
th
<3588> 
T-DSF
sofia
<4678> 
N-DSF
eipa {V-AAI-1S} sofisyhsomai
<4679> 
V-FPI-1S
NET [draft] ITL
I have examined
<05254>
all
<03605>
this
<02090>
by wisdom
<02451>
; I said
<0559>
, “I am determined
<02449>
to comprehend
<02449>
this
<01931>
”– but it was beyond
<04480>
my grasp
<07350>
.
HEBREW
ynmm
<04480>
hqwxr
<07350>
ayhw
<01931>
hmkxa
<02449>
ytrma
<0559>
hmkxb
<02451>
ytyon
<05254>
hz
<02090>
lk (7:23)
<03605>
NETBible

I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, “I am determined 1  to comprehend this” 2  – but it was beyond my grasp. 3 

NET Notes

1 tn The cohortative אֶחְכָּמָה (’ekhkamah, from חָכַם, khakham,“to be wise”) emphasizes the resolve (determination) of Qoheleth to become wise enough to understand the perplexities of life.

2 tn Or “I am determined to become wise”

3 tn Or “but it eluded me”; Heb “but it was far from me.”