KJV:
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
NASB:
I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me.
KJV:
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
NASB:
"Behold, I have discovered this," says the Preacher, "adding one thing to another to find an explanation,
KJV:
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
NASB:
Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, "What are you doing?"
KJV:
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
NASB:
There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are evil men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility.
KJV:
Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
NASB:
and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, "I know," he cannot discover.
KJV:
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
NASB:
So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded.
KJV:
Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
NASB:
Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.
KJV:
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
NASB:
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them";