Ecclesiastes 1:13-18
New International Version
13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens.(A) What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!(B) 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.(C)
15 What is crooked cannot be straightened;(D)
what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me;(E) I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom,(F) and also of madness and folly,(G) but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:13-18
King James Version
13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
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Ecclesiastes 2:13-15
New International Version
13 I saw that wisdom(A) is better than folly,(B)
just as light is better than darkness.
14 The wise have eyes in their heads,
while the fool walks in the darkness;
but I came to realize
that the same fate overtakes them both.(C)
15 Then I said to myself,
“The fate of the fool will overtake me also.
What then do I gain by being wise?”(D)
I said to myself,
“This too is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 2:13-15
King James Version
13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
14 The 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.
15 Then 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.
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1 Timothy 1:3-4
New International Version
Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,(A) stay there in Ephesus(B) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines(C) any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths(D) and endless genealogies.(E) Such things promote controversial speculations(F) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.
1 Timothy 1:3-4
King James Version
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
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Titus 3:9
New International Version
9 But avoid(A) foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels(B) about the law,(C) because these are unprofitable and useless.(D)
Titus 3:9
King James Version
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
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