Parallel Verses
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.
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 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 I spoke within my own heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have gathered more wisdom than all that have been before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart has seen much of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I know that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Phrases
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I sought in my heart to drag my flesh with wine, yet leading my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, until I might see where the good for the sons of men might be, what they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Ecclesiastes 1:13-14
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all which is done under the heavens. It is a sad task God has given to the sons of men to be humbled by it.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-12
And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I did not withhold my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor, and this was my part of all my labor.
Ecclesiastes 7:23-25
All this I have proved by wisdom; I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Prove all things, hold fast to the good.