Ecclesiastes 7:23-25

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

²³ All this have I tried and proved by wisdom. I said, I will be wise [independently of God]—but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is is far off, and that which is deep is very deep—who can find it out [true wisdom independent of the fear of God]?^(A)

²⁵ I turned about [penitent] and my heart was set to know and to search out and to seek [true] wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly and that foolishness is madness [and what had led me into such wickedness and madness].