Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 - Qohelet Introduces His Quest
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and explored wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens. It is a grievous task God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun. Behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
15 What is crooked cannot be made straight. What is lacking cannot be numbered.
16 I said to my heart, I have become great and have acquired more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has seen an abundance of wisdom and knowledge. 17 I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I know that this also is a striving after wind.
18 In much wisdom there is much grief for he who increases knowledge increases pain.