Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 - 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.

¹⁵ What is twisted cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted.

¹⁶ {I said to myself}, "Look! I have become great and have increased [in] wisdom more than anyone who {has preceded} me over Jerusalem. {I have acquired a great deal of wisdom and knowledge}." 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.

¹⁸ For in much wisdom [is] much frustration, and whoever increases knowledge increases sorrow.