Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
New King James Version
The Grief of Wisdom
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my heart to seek and (A)search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; (B)this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be [a]exercised. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
15 (C)What is crooked cannot be made straight,
And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained (D)more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has [b]understood great wisdom and knowledge.” 17 (E)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 (F)in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 Or afflicted
- Ecclesiastes 1:16 Lit. seen
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
New King James Version
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
(A)Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14 For (B)God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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