Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

The Voice

¹² I, the teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³ I decided to seek out and study the wisdom of the ages, of all that had been done under the heavens. I soon discovered the harsh realities of the work God has given us that keeps us so busy. ¹⁴ I have witnessed all that is done under the sun, and indeed, all is fleeting, like trying to embrace the wind. ¹⁵ There is an old saying:

¹⁶ I mused over it all and thought to myself, “I have done great things, and I have gained more wisdom than anyone who reigned over Jerusalem before me. I have contemplated great wisdom and knowledge.” ¹⁷ I decided to study wisdom and instead acquainted myself with madness and folly. It, too, seemed like trying to pursue the wind, ¹⁸ for as my wisdom increased, so did my vexation. As my knowledge grew, so did my pain.