Ecclesiastes 1:17

What does Ecclesiastes 1:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I gave my heart to getting knowledge of wisdom, and of the ways of the foolish. And I saw that this again was desire for wind.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I give my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I have known that even this <FI>is<Fi> vexation of spirit;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

v.16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

v.17This passage

v.18For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ecclesiastes 1:13

    And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:23

    All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:10

    And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21

    prove all things; hold fast that which is good;

  • Ecclesiastes 2:3

    I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.

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