1:11 No one remembers the former events, 1
nor will anyone remember 2 the events that are yet to happen; 3
they will not be remembered by the future generations. 4
1:12 I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 5
1:13 I decided 6 to carefully 7 and thoroughly examine 8
all that has been accomplished on earth. 9
I concluded: 10 God has given people 11 a burdensome task 12
that keeps them 13 occupied. 14
1:14 I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man 15 on earth, 16
and I concluded: Everything 17 he has accomplished 18 is futile 19 – like chasing the wind! 20
1:15 What is bent 21 cannot be straightened, 22
and what is missing 23 cannot be supplied. 24
1:16 I thought to myself, 25
“I have become much wiser 26 than any of my predecessors who ruled 27 over Jerusalem; 28
I 29 have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.” 30
1:17 So I decided 31 to discern the benefit of 32 wisdom and knowledge over 33 foolish behavior and ideas; 34
however, I concluded 35 that even 36 this endeavor 37 is like 38 trying to chase the wind! 39
1:18 For with great wisdom comes 40 great frustration;
whoever increases his 41 knowledge merely 42 increases his 43 heartache.