Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

English Standard Version

¹⁶When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see ^(A)the business that is done on earth, how neither ^(B)day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, ¹⁷then I saw all the work of God, that ^(C)man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, ^(D)he cannot find it out.

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Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

International Standard Version

¹⁶When I dedicated myself to experience wisdom and to observe what is undertaken on earth—even going without sleep day and night— ¹⁷I saw all of it as the activity of God. Frankly, a human being cannot understand what happens on earth, because however hard a man works to discover it, he will not find out. Despite what he thinks he knows, he will not be able to figure it out.

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Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

New International Version

¹⁶When I applied my mind to know wisdom^(A) and to observe the labor that is done on earth^(B)—people getting no sleep day or night— ¹⁷then I saw all that God has done.^(C) No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.^(D)