Ecclesiastes 1:17

In 11 translations

BSB

So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

KJV

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

WEB

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

ASV

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

LSV

And I give my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I have known that even this [is] distress of spirit;

YLT

And I give my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I have known that even this [is] vexation of spirit;

DBY

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.

DRC

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,

GNV

And I gaue mine heart to knowe wisdome and knowledge, madnes and foolishnes: I knew also that this is a vexation of the spirit.

JPS

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

LXXE

And my heart knew much—wisdom, and knowledge, parables and understanding: I perceived that this also is waywardness of spirit.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

וָאֶתְּנָ֤ה לִבִּי֙ לָדַ֣עַת חָכְמָ֔ה וְדַ֥עַת הוֹלֵל֖וֹת וְשִׂכְל֑וּת יָדַ֕עְתִּי שֶׁגַּם־זֶ֥ה ה֖וּא רַעְי֥וֹן רֽוּחַ׃

LXX-Br

Καὶ καρδία μου εἶδε πολλὰ, σοφίαν καὶ γνῶσιν, παραβολὰς καὶ ἐπιστήμην· ἔγνων ἐγώ ὅτι καί γε τοῦτό ἐστι προαίρεσις πνεύματος·

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Ecclesiastes 2:3I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
• Ecclesiastes 1:13–14And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have…
• Ecclesiastes 7:23–25All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me. What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it? I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and…
• Ecclesiastes 2:10–12Anything my eyes desired, I did not deny myself. I refused my heart no pleasure. For my heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had…

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).