Ecclesiastes 1:14

I examined everything people do here on earth, and discovered that it's all so temporary—trying to understand it is like trying to pin down the wind!

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

In Context

13I decided to focus my mind to explore, using wisdom, everything that happens here on earth. This is a tough assignment that God has given people to keep them busy!

15You can't straighten what is twisted, and you can't count what isn't there.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 1

Cross References

Psalms 39:5Just look at the tiny amount of days you have given me! In your eyes my whole lifetime is like nothing. Our lives here are just a breath… Selah.

Ecclesiastes 2:11But when I thought about what I had worked so hard to achieve, everything I'd done, it was so short-lived—as significant as someone trying to catch the wind. There really is no enduring benefit here on earth.

Ecclesiastes 2:26To those who are good, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy. But to the sinner God gives the task of gathering and collecting wealth, only to hand it over to someone who pleases God. This also shows how fleeting life is, and hard to understand—like trying to understand how the wind blows.

Ecclesiastes 4:4I observed that every skill in work comes from competition with others. Once again this is hard to understand, like trying to hold on to the elusive wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:16He is surrounded by crowds of supporters, but the next generation isn't happy with him. This also illustrates the passing nature of life whose meaning is elusive, like pursuing the wind for understanding.

Ecclesiastes 12:8“Everything passes! It's all so hard to understand!” says the Teacher.

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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