Ecclesiastes 2:2
Good News Translation
I discovered that laughter is foolish, that pleasure does you no good.

New Revised Standard Version
I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”

Contemporary English Version
Laughing and having fun is crazy. What good does it do?

New American Bible
Of laughter I said: “Mad!” and of mirth: “What good does this do?”

Douay-Rheims Bible
Laughter I counted error: and to mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Laughter I counted error: and to mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?

it is

Ecclesiastes 7:2-6 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come. . . .

Proverbs 14:13 Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning taketh hold of the ends of joy.

Isaiah 22:12,13 And the Lord, the God of hosts, in that day shall call to weeping, and to mourning, to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: . . .

Amos 6:3-6 You that are separated unto the evil day: and that approach to the throne of iniquity; . . .

1 Peter 4:2-4 That now he may live the rest of his time in the flesh, not after the desires of men but according to the will of God. . . .

Context
The Futility of Pleasure
1I said in my heart: I will go, and abound with delights, and enjoy good things. And I saw that this also was vanity. 2Laughter I counted error: and to mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?3I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind to wisdom, and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for the children of men: and what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their life.…
Cross References
Proverbs 14:13
Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning taketh hold of the ends of joy.

Ecclesiastes 7:3
Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.

Ecclesiastes 7:6
For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:1
Top of Page
Top of Page