1:14 I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man 1 on earth, 2
and I concluded: Everything 3 he has accomplished 4 is futile 5 – like chasing the wind! 6
1:15 What is bent 7 cannot be straightened, 8
and what is missing 9 cannot be supplied. 10
1:16 I thought to myself, 11
“I have become much wiser 12 than any of my predecessors who ruled 13 over Jerusalem; 14
I 15 have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.” 16
1:17 So I decided 17 to discern the benefit of 18 wisdom and knowledge over 19 foolish behavior and ideas; 20
however, I concluded 21 that even 22 this endeavor 23 is like 24 trying to chase the wind! 25
1:18 For with great wisdom comes 26 great frustration;
whoever increases his 27 knowledge merely 28 increases his 29 heartache.