Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Spake, I, in my heart, saying, As for me, lo! I have become great, and have gathered wisdom, beyond any one who hath been before me over Jerusalem, - and, my heart, hath seen much wisdom and knowledge: 17 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. 18 For, in much wisdom, is much vexation, - and, he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth pain.
Phrases
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I sought out with my heart, to cherish with wine, my flesh, - but, my heart, was to guide with wisdom, even in laying hold of folly, until I should see which was blessedness for the sons of men, as to that which they could do, under the heavens, during the number of the days of their life.
Ecclesiastes 1:13-14
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,
Ecclesiastes 2:10-12
and, nothing that mine eyes asked, withheld I from them, - I did not keep back my heart from any gladness, for, my heart, obtained gladness out of all my toil, and so, this, was my portion, out of all my toil.
Ecclesiastes 7:23-25
All this, have I proved by wisdom, - I said, I will be wise, but, that, was far from me.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
But, all things, put to the proof - what is comely, hold ye fast: