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Ecclesiastes 1:17
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15 aWhat is crooked cannot be made straight,
And what is lacking cannot be numbered.  
16 I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained amore wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has1 understood great wisdom and knowledge.”  
17 aAnd I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. 
18 For ain much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. 
Verse Comparison: Ecclesiastes 1:17

<< Ecclesiastes 1:16   Ecclesiastes 1:18 >>

American Standard Version
And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.

Amplified® Bible
And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind {and} a feeding on it.

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.

Darby English Version
And I applied my heart to the knowledge of wisdom, and to the knowledge of madness and folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after the wind.

Good News Bible
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.

King James Version
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

New American Standard Bible
And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind.

New International Version
Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.

New King James Version
And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also seems like striving after wind.

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 striving after wind.

Young's Literal Translation
And I give my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I have known that even this `is' vexation of spirit;

New English Translation
So I decided1 to discern the benefit of2 wisdom and knowledge over3 foolish behavior and ideas;4 however, I concluded5 that even6 this endeavor7 is like8 trying to chase the wind!9


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