So I decided ¹  to discern the benefit of ²  wisdom and knowledge over ³  foolish behavior and ideas; ⁴  however, I concluded ⁵  that even ⁶  this endeavor ⁷  is like ⁸  trying to chase the wind! ⁹ 

biblegateway Ecc 1:17

And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind.

I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly; I learned that this too is a pursuit of the wind.

I’ve used my mind to understand wisdom and knowledge as well as madness and stupidity. Now I know that this is like trying to catch the wind.

biblegateway Ecc 1:17

Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.

And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

bibleoremus Ecc 1:17

And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a chasing after wind.

So I applied my mind to understanding wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly, and I came to see that this too is a chasing of the wind.

biblegateway Ecc 1:17

And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

biblegateway Ecc 1:17

So I decided ¹  to discern the benefit of ²  wisdom and knowledge over ³  foolish behavior and ideas; ⁴  however, I concluded ⁵  that even ⁶  this endeavor ⁷  is like ⁸  trying to chase the wind! ⁹ 

¹ tn Heb “gave my heart,” or “set my mind.” See v. 13.

² tn The phrase “the benefit of” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

³ tn The word “over” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁴ tn The terms שִׂכְלוּת (sikhlut, “folly”) and הוֹלֵלוֹת (holelot, “foolishness”) are synonyms. The term שִׂכְלוּת (alternate spelling of סִכְלוּת, sikhlut) refers to foolish behavior (HALOT 755 s.v. סִכְלוּת), while הוֹלֵלוֹת refers to foolish ideas and mental blindness (HALOT 242 s.v. הוֹלֵלוֹת). Qoheleth uses these terms to refer to foolish ideas and self-indulgent pleasures (e.g., Eccl 2:2-3, 12-14; 7:25; 9:3; 10:1, 6, 13).

⁵ tn Heb “I know.”

⁶ tn The term גַּם (gam, “even”) is a particle of association and emphasis (HALOT 195 s.v. גַּם).

⁷ tn This term does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁸ tn This term does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁹ tn Heb “striving of wind.”