Verse Comparison: Ecclesiastes 2:12
American Standard Version
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 done long ago.
Amplified® Bible
So I turned to consider [human] wisdom and madness and folly; for what can the man do who succeeds the king? Nothing but what has been done already.
Contemporary English Version
I asked myself, "What can the next king do that I haven't done?" Then I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and stupidity.
Darby English Version
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly; for what shall the man [do] that cometh after the king? -- that which hath already been done.
Good News Bible
After all, a king can only do what previous kings have done. So I started thinking about what it meant to be wise or reckless or foolish.
King James Version
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.
New American Standard Bible
So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what {will} the man {do} who will come after the king {except} what has already been done?
New International Version
Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom,
and also madness and folly.
What more can the king's successor do
than what has already been done?
New King James Version
Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly;
For what can the man do who succeeds the king?—
Only what he has already done.
N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what will the man do who will come after the king except what has already occurred?
Revised Standard Version
So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what he has already done.
Young's Literal Translation
And I turned to see wisdom, and madness, and folly, but what `is' the man who cometh after the king? that which `is' already -- they have done it!