16 I said to myself, “See, I have amassed wisdom far beyond all those who were over Jerusalem before me,(A) and my mind has thoroughly grasped[a] wisdom and knowledge.” 17 I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge,(B) madness and folly;(C) I learned that this too is a pursuit of the wind.(D)

18 For with much wisdom is much sorrow;(E)
as knowledge increases, grief increases.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:16 Or discerned

16 I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me;(A) I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom,(B) and also of madness and folly,(C) but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.

18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;(D)
    the more knowledge, the more grief.(E)

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