Parallel Verses
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}.
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
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.
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.
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, [was] king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 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}. 14 I saw all the works that are done under the sun. Look! Everything [is] vanity and chasing wind.
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:10
I have seen the busyness God gives to {humans} to preoccupy them.
Ecclesiastes 1:17
So {I dedicated myself} to learn about wisdom and [to] learn about delusion and folly. However, I discovered that this also [is] chasing wind.
Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread, until your return to the ground. For from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Ecclesiastes 7:25
I set my mind to try to seek wisdom and the plan, and to know that wickedness [is] foolishness and that folly [is] delusion.
Psalm 111:2
The works of Yahweh [are] great, studied by all [who] delight [in] them.
Proverbs 2:2-4
[in order] to incline your ear toward wisdom, [then] you shall apply your heart to understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom! With all [that is in] your possession, gain insight.
Proverbs 18:1
He who is selfish seeks a craving; against all sound judgment he shows contempt.
Proverbs 18:15
An intelligent {mind} will acquire knowledge, and the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
Proverbs 23:26
My child, may you give your heart to me, and may your eyes delight in my ways.
Ecclesiastes 2:23
All his days [are] painful, his labor [brings] grief, and his heart cannot rest at night. This also [is] vanity!
Ecclesiastes 2:26
For to the person who [is] good in his eyes, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and heaping up only to give [it] to [him who is] pleasing to him. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!
Ecclesiastes 4:4
I also realized that all [of the] toil and all [of] the skillful work that is done--it [is] envy between one man and {another}. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!
Ecclesiastes 8:9
I saw all this as I applied my heart to all the deeds done under the sun: {sometimes those in authority harm others}.
Ecclesiastes 8:16-17
I applied my mind to know wisdom and to understand the business that is done on earth--how neither day nor night one's eyes see sleep.
Ecclesiastes 12:12
My son, be careful {about anything beyond these things}. For the writing of books is endless, and too much study {is wearisome}.
1 Timothy 4:15
Practice these [things]. Be [diligent] in these [things], in order that your progress may be evident to everyone.