Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 2:13

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

1 selected · 25 available

Add or remove verses within this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 14 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 13

  1. Ephesians 5:8Rank 1 from verse 13
    Open

    8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

  2. Ecclesiastes 7:11–12Rank 2 from verse 13
    Open

    11¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

    12For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

  3. Ecclesiastes 11:7Rank 3 from verse 13
    Open

    7¶ Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

  4. Matthew 6:23Rank 4 from verse 13
    Open

    23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

  5. Luke 11:34–35Rank 5 from verse 13
    Open

    34The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

    35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

  6. Malachi 3:18–2Rank 6 from verse 13
    Open

    Verse text is unavailable.

  7. Psalms 119:105Rank 7 from verse 13
    Open

    105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

  8. Ecclesiastes 7:19Rank 8 from verse 13
    Open

    19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

  9. Ecclesiastes 9:16Rank 9 from verse 13
    Open

    16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

  10. Ecclesiastes 9:18Rank 10 from verse 13
    Open

    18Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

  11. Proverbs 16:16Rank 11 from verse 13
    Open

    16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

  12. Proverbs 4:18–19Rank 12 from verse 13
    Open

    18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

    19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

  13. Proverbs 4:5–7Rank 13 from verse 13
    Open

    5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

    6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

    7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

  14. Psalms 119:130Rank 14 from verse 13
    Open

    130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:13

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

light

↗

Sense 1: Brightness or illumination. Sense 2: A source or opening that gives light. Sense 3: Figuratively, truth, knowledge, revelation, life, or favour contrasted with darkness. Sense 4: To illuminate or kindle. Sense 5: To alight or come upon. Sense 6: Slight, easy, swift, or not heavy.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

darkness

↗

Sense 1: Absence of light. Sense 2: Obscurity, ignorance, distress, or moral evil by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 2:12–17

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

2:12¶ And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

2:13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

Selected passage

2:14The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

2:15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

2:16For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

2:17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.