12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
12
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man 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 vexation of spirit.
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.