Ecclesiastes 1:16-18
King James Version
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 1:16-18
New King James Version
16 I 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.
18 For (C)in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 1:16 Lit. seen
Ecclesiastes 1:16-18
English Standard Version
16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great (A)wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I (B)applied my heart to know wisdom and to know (C)madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but (D)a striving after wind.
18 For (E)in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
传道书 1:16-18
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
16 我自己心里说：“我得了极大的智慧，胜过所有在我以前统治耶路撒冷的人；我见识了许多智慧与知识。” 17 我又专心究察智慧和知识，狂妄和愚昧，才知道这也是捕风。 18 因为多有智慧，就多有烦恼；加增知识，就加增痛苦。
Read full chapterScripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.