American Standard Version ASV
New International Version NIV
11 There is no remembrance of the former [generations]; neither shall there be any remembrance of the latter [generations] that are to come, among those that shall come after.
11
No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.
12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
12
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
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 all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after 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 That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
15
What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I communed with mine own hear, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart hath had great experience of 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 And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
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 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
18
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
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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.