Common English Bible w/ Apocrypha CEBA
New International Version NIV
16 I said to myself, Look here, I have grown much wiser than any who ruled over Jerusalem before me. My mind has absorbed great wisdom and knowledge.
16
I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.”
17 But when I set my mind to understand wisdom, and also to understand madness and folly, I realized that this too was just wind chasing.
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.
18 Remember: In much wisdom is much aggravation; the more knowledge, the more pain.
18
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
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.