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Ecclesiastes 1:15

Discouragement and depressionWisdom

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.

14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
What is crooked cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted.
KJV
That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
WEB
That which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.
ASV
That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
DARBY
That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
BLB
What is crooked is not able to be straightened, and what is lacking is not able to be counted.
ÅB
Det som er kroket, kan ikke bli rett, og det som mangler, kan ingen regne med.
OTB
Det som er kroket kan ikke gjøres rett; det som mangler kan ikke telles.
B1930
Det som er kroket, kan ikke bli rett, og det som mangler, kan ingen regne med.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ecclesiastes 7:12–13

    For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 6:27

    Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 3:14

    I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 40:4

    Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

    Read in context

  • Lamentations 3:37

    Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

    Read in context

  • Job 34:29

    When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:

    Read in context

  • Job 11:6

    And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

    Read in context

  • Daniel 4:35

    And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

    Read in context