Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 - Qohelet Introduces His Quest

¹² I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile -- like chasing the wind!

¹⁵ What is bent cannot be straightened, and what is missing cannot be supplied.

¹⁶ I thought to myself, "I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge." ¹⁷ 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!

¹⁸ For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.