The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
12 Call me "the Quester." I've been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
12
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 I looked most carefully into everything, searched out all that is done on this earth. And let me tell you, there's not much to write home about. God hasn't made it easy for 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've seen it all and it's nothing but smoke - smoke, and spitting into 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 Life's a corkscrew that can't be straightened, A minus that won't add up.
15
What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
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.