◄ Ecclesiastes 1:17 ►
Verse  (Click for Chapter)
Good News Translation
I was determined to learn the difference between knowledge and foolishness, wisdom and madness. But I found out that I might as well be chasing the wind.

New Revised Standard Version
And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a chasing after wind.

Contemporary English Version
Then I decided to find out all I could about wisdom and foolishness. Soon I realized that this too was as senseless as chasing the wind.

New American Bible
yet when I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly, I learned that this also is a chase after wind.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I have given my heart to know prudence, and learning, and errors, and folly: and I have perceived that in these also there was labour, and vexation of spirit,

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

And I have given my heart to know prudence, and learning, and errors, and folly: and I have perceived that in these also there was labour, and vexation of spirit,

i gave

Ecclesiastes 1:13 And I proposed in my mind to seek and search out wisely concerning all things that are done under the sun. This painful occupation hath God given to the children of men, to be exercised therein.

Ecclesiastes 2:3,12 I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind to wisdom, and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for the children of men: and what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their life. . . .

Ecclesiastes 7:23-25 I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me, . . .

1 Thessalonians 5:21 But prove all things: hold fast that which is good.

i perceived

Ecclesiastes 2:10,11 And whatsoever my eyes desired, I refused them not: and I withheld not my heart from enjoying every pleasure, and delighting itself in the things which I had prepared: and esteemed this my portion, to make use of my own labour. . . .

Context
With Wisdom Comes Sorrow
…16I have spoken in my heart, saying: Behold I am become great, and have gone beyond all in wisdom, that were before me in Jerusalem: and my mind hath contemplated many things wisely, and I have learned. 17And I have given my heart to know prudence, and learning, and errors, and folly: and I have perceived that in these also there was labour, and vexation of spirit,18Because in much wisdom there is much indignation: and he that addeth knowledge, addeth also labour.…
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 1:13
And I proposed in my mind to seek and search out wisely concerning all things that are done under the sun. This painful occupation hath God given to the children of men, to be exercised therein.

Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all things that are done under the sun, and behold all is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 2:11
And when I turned myself to all the works which my hands had wrought, and to the labours wherein I had laboured in vain, I saw in all things vanity, and vexation of mind, and that nothing was lasting under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:12
I passed further to behold wisdom, and errors and folly, (What is man, said I that he can follow the King his maker?)

Ecclesiastes 2:17
And therefore I was weary of my life, when I saw that all things under the sun are evil, and all vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 4:4
Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighbour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.

Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.

Ecclesiastes 6:9
Better it is to see what thou mayst desire, than to desire that which thou canst not know. But this also is vanity, and presumption of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 7:25
I have surveyed all things with my mind, to know, and consider, and seek out wisdom and reason: and to know the wickedness of the fool, and the error of the imprudent:

Ecclesiastes 9:3
This is a very great evil among all things that are done under the sun, that the same things happen to all men: whereby also the hearts of the children of men are filled with evil, and with contempt while they live, and afterwards they shall be brought down to hell.

Ecclesiastes 1:16
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