Ecclesiastes 7:10–12
10 Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good
And an aadvantage to those who see the sun.
12 For awisdom is 1protection just as money is 1protection,
But the advantage of knowledge is that bwisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — The New International Version (NIV)
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
For it is not wise to ask such questions.
11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing
and benefits those who see the sun.
12 Wisdom is a shelter
as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — English Standard Version (ESV)
10 Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,
and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — King James Version (KJV 1900)
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — New Living Translation (NLT)
10 Don’t long for “the good old days.”
This is not wise.
11 Wisdom is even better when you have money.
Both are a benefit as you go through life.
12 Wisdom and money can get you almost anything,
but only wisdom can save your life.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — The New King James Version (NKJV)
10 Do not say,
“Why were the former days better than these?”
For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance,
And profitable to those who see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense,
But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — New Century Version (NCV)
10 Don’t ask, “Why was life better in the ‘good old days’?”
It is not wise to ask such questions.
11 Wisdom is better when it comes with money.
They both help those who are alive.
12 Wisdom is like money:
they both help.
But wisdom is better,
because it can save whoever has it.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — American Standard Version (ASV)
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)
10 Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom maketh them that possess it to live.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
10 Don’t ask, “Why were things better in the old days than they are now?” It isn’t wisdom that leads you to ask this!
11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. It is an advantage to everyone who sees the sun. 12 Wisdom protects us just as money protects us, but the advantage of wisdom is that it gives life to those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?”
since it is not wise of you to ask this.
11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance
and an advantage to those who see the sun,
12 because wisdom is protection as money is protection,
and the advantage of knowledge
is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
10 Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance,
an advantage to those who see the sun.
12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,
and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the one who possesses it.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)
10 Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance;
it benefits the living.
12 For wisdom offers protection like money offers protection.
But knowledge has an advantage—wisdom restores life to its possessor.
Ecclesiastes 7:10–12 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)
10 Don’t say, “Why were things better in the good old days?”
It isn’t wise to ask that kind of question.
11 Wisdom is a good thing.
It’s like getting a share of the family wealth.
It benefits those who live on this earth.
12 Wisdom provides safety,
just as money provides safety.
But here’s the advantage of wisdom.
It guards the lives of those who have it.