Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 (Revised Standard Version w/ Apocrypha)
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12
I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13
And I applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with.
14
I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
15
What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16
I said to myself, "I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge."
17
And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
18
For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version w/ Apocrypha)
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