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Ecclesiastes 1:14-16
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 1:14-16
New International Version
14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.(A)
15 What is crooked cannot be straightened;(B)
what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me;(C) I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14-16
King James Version
Ecclesiastes 1:14-16
King James Version
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
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Ecclesiastes 1:14-16
English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 1:14-16
English Standard Version
14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is (A)vanity[a] and a striving after wind.[b]
15 (B)What is crooked cannot be made straight,
and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great (C)wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 1:14 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)
- Ecclesiastes 1:14 Or a feeding on wind; compare Hosea 12:1 (also in Ecclesiastes 1:17; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 16; 6:9)
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.