12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

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Wisdom Is Meaningless

12 I, the Teacher,(A) was king over Israel in Jerusalem.(B)

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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.

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16 I 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.”

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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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15 Then I said to myself,

“The fate of the fool will overtake me also.
    What then do I gain by being wise?”(A)
I said to myself,
    “This too is meaningless.”

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And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

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The Conclusion of the Matter

Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.(A)

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