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 chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 Lit an evil
- Ecclesiastes 1:14 Or futility
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
New American Standard Bible 1995
The Futility of Wisdom
12 I, the (A)Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I (B)set my [a]mind to seek and (C)explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is [b]a grievous (D)task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. 14 I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is [c](E)vanity and striving after wind. 15 What is (F)crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I [d]said to myself, “Behold, I have magnified and increased (G)wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my [e]mind has observed [f]a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I (H)set my [g]mind to know wisdom and to (I)know madness and folly; I realized that this also is (J)striving after wind. 18 Because (K)in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 Lit heart
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 Lit an evil
- Ecclesiastes 1:14 Or futility
- Ecclesiastes 1:16 Lit spoke with my heart, saying
- Ecclesiastes 1:16 Lit heart
- Ecclesiastes 1:16 Lit an abundance
- Ecclesiastes 1:17 Lit heart
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