Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
I dedicated myself to using wisdom for study and discovery of everything that is done under heaven. God uses terrible things so human beings will struggle with life.
New American Standard Bible
And I
King James Version
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
Holman Bible
I applied my mind to seek
A Conservative Version
And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven. It is a great tribulation that God has given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
American Standard Version
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.
Amplified
And I set my mind to seek and explore by [man’s]
Bible in Basic English
And I gave my heart to searching out in wisdom all things which are done under heaven: it is a hard thing which God has put on the sons of men to do.
Darby Translation
And I applied my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: this grievous occupation hath God given to the children of men to weary themselves therewith.
Julia Smith Translation
And I gave my heart to seek and to search out in wisdom concerning all which was done under the heavens: this evil business God gave to the sons of man to be occupied in it
King James 2000
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this severe burden has God given to the sons of man to be afflicted with.
Lexham Expanded Bible
I applied my mind to seek and to search by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. It [is] a grievous task God has given to {humans}.
Modern King James verseion
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all which is done under the heavens. It is a sad task God has given to the sons of men to be humbled by it.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
applied my mind to seek out and search for the knowledge of all things that are done under heaven. Such travail and labor hath God given to the children of men, to exercise themselves therein.
NET Bible
I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth. I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task that keeps them occupied.
New Heart English Bible
I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
The Emphasized Bible
And I gave my heart to seek and to search out, wisely, concerning all things which are done under the heavens, - the same, is the vexatious employment God hath given to the sons of men, to work toilsomely therein,
Webster
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this grievous labor hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised with it.
World English Bible
I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
Youngs Literal Translation
And I have given my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that hath been done under the heavens. It is a sad travail God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.
Themes
Care » Worldly folly of » Profitless
Science » Observations of, and deductions from, facts
Wisdom » True wisdom, general references to » The search for
Interlinear
Nathan
Leb
Tuwr
Ra`
'elohiym
References
Fausets
Morish
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 1:13
Verse Info
Context Readings
Qohelet Introduces His Quest
12 I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I dedicated myself to using wisdom for study and discovery of everything that is done under heaven. God uses terrible things so human beings will struggle with life. 14 I observed every activity done on earth. My conclusion: all of it is pointless like chasing after the wind.
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:10
I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them.
Ecclesiastes 1:17
So I dedicated myself to learn about wisdom and knowledge, and about insanity and foolishness. And I discovered that this is also like chasing after the wind.
Genesis 3:19
You will eat food by the sweat of your brow until you're buried in the ground, because you were taken from it. You're made from dust and you'll return to dust."
Ecclesiastes 7:25
I committed myself to understand, to learn, to search for wisdom and explanations, and to understand both the evil that is foolishness and the stupidity that is delusion.
Psalm 111:2
Great are the acts of the LORD; they are within reach of all who desire them.
Proverbs 2:2-4
making your ear attentive to wisdom, and turning your heart to understanding
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom, and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.
Proverbs 18:1
Whoever isolates himself pursues selfish ends; he resists all sound advice.
Proverbs 18:15
The mind of a discerning person gains knowledge, while the ears of wise people seek out knowledge.
Proverbs 23:26
Give me your heart, my son, and keep your eyes fixed on my ways,
Ecclesiastes 2:23
Indeed, all of his days are filled with sorrow, and his struggles bring grief. In fact, his mind remains restless throughout the night. This is pointless, too!
Ecclesiastes 2:26
After all, to the person who is good in God's sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner he gives the troublesome task of acquiring and accumulating in order to leave it to someone who is good in the sight of God. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 8:9
I observed all this, and carefully considered everything that is undertaken on earth, especially the time when someone dominates another to his detriment.
Ecclesiastes 8:16-17
When I dedicated myself to experience wisdom and to observe what is undertaken on earth even going without sleep day and night
Ecclesiastes 12:12
So learn from them, my son. There is no end to the crafting of many books, and too much study wearies the body.
1 Timothy 4:15
Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.