Ecclesiastes 1:16-18

New King James Version

¹⁶I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained ^(A)more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has ^[a]understood great wisdom and knowledge.” ¹⁷^(B)And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

¹⁸For ^(C)in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

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Footnotes

Ecclesiastes 1:16 Lit. seen

Ecclesiastes 1:16-18

New International Version

¹⁶I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me;^(A) I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” ¹⁷Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom,^(B) and also of madness and folly,^(C) but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.

¹⁸For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;^(D)
the more knowledge, the more grief.^(E)

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