Ecclesiastes 1:13
I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
World English Bible British
In The King James Version
In Context
12I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
Cross References
Genesis 3:19You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground, for you were taken out of it. For you are dust, and you shall return to dust.”
Proverbs 2:2so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
Proverbs 18:1A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgement.
Proverbs 23:26My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.
Ecclesiastes 1:17I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:26For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after 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 →