Parallel Verses
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
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.
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 It spake with my heart, saying, Behold, I was magnified, and added wisdom over all that were before me at Jerusalem: and my heart saw much of wisdom and knowledge. 17 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 18 For in abundance of wisdom, abundance of trouble: and he adding knowledge will increase pain.
Phrases
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I examined in my heart to draw my flesh with wine, and my heart led in wisdom; and to lay hold upon folly till that I shall see what this good to the sons of man which they will do under the heavens the number of the days of their life.
Ecclesiastes 1:13-14
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
Ecclesiastes 2:10-12
And all that mine eyes asked I kept not back from them, and I withheld not my heart from all gladness; for my heart rejoiced from all my labor: and this was my portion from all my labor.
Ecclesiastes 7:23-25
All this I proved by wisdom: I said I will be wise, and it was removed far off from me.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Try all things; hold the good.