Ecclesiastes 1:13
I applied my mind to study and to search out by wisdom everything that is done under heaven. That search is a burdensome task that God has given to the children of mankind to be busy with.
Unlocked Literal Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
12I am the Teacher, and I have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
Cross References
Genesis 3:19By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, 1 until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. 1 For dust you are, and to dust you will return.”
Proverbs 2:2make your ears pay attention to wisdom 1 and incline your heart to understanding. 1
Proverbs 18:1One who isolates himself seeks his own desire 1 and he quarrels with all sound judgment. 1
Proverbs 23:26My son, give me your heart 1 and let your eyes observe my ways. 1
Ecclesiastes 1:17So I applied my heart to know wisdom and also madness and folly. I came to understand that this also was an attempt to shepherd the wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:26For to anyone who pleases him, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy. However, to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and storing up so that he may give it away to someone who pleases God. This also amounts to vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind.
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 →