Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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.
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 myself, the Preacher, being king of Israel and Jerusalem, 13 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. 14 Thus I have considered all the things that come to pass under the Sun, and lo, they are all but vanity and vexation of mind.
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:10
For as touching the travail and carefulness which God hath given unto men, I see that he hath given it them, to be exercised in it.
Ecclesiastes 1:17
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:
Genesis 3:19
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou return unto the earth whence thou wast taken: for earth thou art, and unto earth shalt thou return."
Ecclesiastes 7:25
I applied my mind also to knowledge, and to seek out science, wisdom and understanding: to know the foolishness of the ungodly, and the error of doting fools.
Psalm 111:2
The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
Proverbs 2:2-4
that thou wilt incline thin ears unto wisdom; apply thine heart then to understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
The chief point of wisdom is that thou be willing to obtain wisdom, and before all thy goods to get the understanding.
Proverbs 18:1
He accompanieth himself with all steadfast and healthsome doctrine, that hath a desire to it and is sequestered from company.
Proverbs 18:15
A wise heart laboureth for knowledge; and a prudent ear seeketh understanding.
Proverbs 23:26
My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes have pleasure in my ways.
Ecclesiastes 2:23
but heaviness, sorrow and disquietness all the days of his life? Insomuch that his heart cannot rest in the night. Is not this also a vain thing?
Ecclesiastes 2:26
He giveth unto man, what it pleaseth him; whether it be wisdom, understanding, or gladness. But unto the sinner he giveth weariness and sorrow, that he may gather and heap together the thing, that afterward shall be given unto him whom it pleaseth God. This is now a vain thing, yea a very disquietness and vexation of mind.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
Again, I saw that all travail and diligence of labour was hated of every man. This is also a vain thing, and a vexation of mind.
Ecclesiastes 8:9
All these things have I considered, and applied my mind unto every work that is under the Sun: how one man hath lordship upon another to his own harm.
Ecclesiastes 8:16-17
And so I applied my mind to learn wisdom, and to know the travail that is in the world; and that of such a fashion that I suffered not my eyes to sleep neither day nor night.
Ecclesiastes 12:12
Therefore beware, my son, that above these thou make them not many and innumerable books, nor take divers doctrines in hand, to weary thy body withal.
1 Timothy 4:15
These things exercise, and give thyself unto them, that it may be seen how thou profitest in all things.