Parallel Verses
Bible in Basic English
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.
New American Standard Bible
And I
King James Version
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
Holman Bible
I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge,
International Standard Version
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.
A Conservative Version
And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
American Standard Version
And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
Amplified
And I set my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I realized that this too is a futile grasping and chasing after the wind.
Darby Translation
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.
Julia Smith Translation
And I will give my heart to know wisdom, and the knowledge of praise and understanding: I knew this also it is the striving of the spirit
King James 2000
And I set my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is like grasping the wind.
Lexham Expanded Bible
So {I dedicated myself} to learn about wisdom and [to] learn about delusion and folly. However, I discovered that this also [is] chasing wind.
Modern King James verseion
And I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I know that this also is vexation of spirit.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
for thereunto I applied my mind: that I might know what were wisdom and understanding, what were error and foolishness. And I perceived that this also was but a vexation of mind:
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!
New Heart English Bible
I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
The Emphasized Bible
yea I have given my heart, to know wisdom, and to know madness, and folly, - I know that, even this, is a feeding on wind.
Webster
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
World English Bible
I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
Youngs Literal Translation
And I give my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I have known that even this is vexation of spirit;
Interlinear
Nathan
Leb
Yada`
Yada`
Yada`
References
Easton
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 1:17
Verse Info
Context Readings
Qohelet Introduces His Quest
16 I said to my heart, See, I have become great and am increased in wisdom more than any who were before me in Jerusalem--yes, my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge. 17 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. 18 Because in much wisdom is much grief, and increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow.
Phrases
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Ecclesiastes 1:13-14
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.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-12
And nothing which was desired by my eyes did I keep from them; I did not keep any joy from my heart, because my heart took pleasure in all my work, and this was my reward.
Ecclesiastes 7:23-25
All this I have put to the test by wisdom; I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;