NET Bible
"So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!"
— Ecclesiastes 1:17, NET Bible
“And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.”
“And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind. ”
“I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.”
“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,”
“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.”
“And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.”
I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile– like chasing the wind!
What is bent cannot be straightened, and what is missing cannot be supplied.
Futility of Secular Wisdom I thought to myself,“I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”
So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!
For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.