Ecclesiastes 1:15

That which is bent may not be made straight, and that which is not there may not be numbered.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

In Context

14I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; all is to no purpose, and desire for wind.

16I said to my heart, See, I have become great and am increased in wisdom more than any who were before me in Jerusalem--yes, my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 1

Cross References

Job 34:29...

Ecclesiastes 7:12Wisdom keeps a man from danger even as money does; but the value of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to its owner.

Jeremiah 13:23Is it possible for the skin of the Ethiopian to be changed, or the markings on the leopard? Then it might be possible for you to do good, who have been trained to do evil.

Daniel 4:35And all the people of the earth are as nothing: he does his pleasure in the army of heaven and among the people of the earth: and no one is able to keep back his hand, or say to him, What are you doing?

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 1:13-18

Vanity of Human Wisdom. 12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Ecclesiastes 1:15