Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Legacy Standard Bible
The Vanity of Wisdom
12 I, the (A)Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I (B)gave my heart to seek and (C)explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is [a]a grievous (D)endeavor which God has given to the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. 14 I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is [b](E)vanity and striving after wind. 15 What is (F)bent cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I spoke within my heart, saying, “Behold, I have magnified and increased (G)wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my heart has seen an abundance of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I (H)gave my heart to know wisdom and to (I)know madness and simpleminded folly; I came to know that this also is (J)striving after wind. 18 Because (K)in much wisdom there is much vexation, and whoever increases knowledge increases pain.
Read full chapterNotas al pie
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 Lit an evil
- Ecclesiastes 1:14 Or futility
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Evangelical Heritage Version
Search for a Solution
12 I, Ecclesiastes, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my heart to seek out and explore with wisdom everything done under the sky.[a] (What a burdensome task[b] God has given the children of Adam to keep them busy!) 14 I have seen all the actions done under the sun, and, look, it is all nothing but vapor. It is all chasing the wind. 15 Whatever is crooked cannot be straightened. Whatever is not there cannot be counted.
16 I thought in my heart, “Look, I have become great and accumulated more wisdom than anyone ruling over Jerusalem before me. My mind[c] has absorbed so much wisdom and knowledge.” 17 I applied my heart to understand wisdom and knowledge, madness and stupidity. I realized that this too is chasing the wind. 18 In fact, with much wisdom comes much frustration.[d] The more knowledge, the more pain!
Read full chapterNotas al pie
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 Or the heavens
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 Or rotten business
- Ecclesiastes 1:16 Literally heart. In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center not only of emotion but also of the intellect.
- Ecclesiastes 1:18 Or grief
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