Good News Translation GNT
New International Version NIV
12 I, the Philosopher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
12
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 I determined that I would examine and study all the things that are done in this world. God has laid a miserable fate upon us.
13
I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!
14 I have seen everything done in this world, and I tell you, it is all useless. It is like chasing the wind.
14
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
15 You can't straighten out what is crooked; you can't count things that aren't there.
15
What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.