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.