Ecclesiastes 1:16

¹⁴ I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

¹⁵ What is crooked cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted.

I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”

¹⁷ So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

¹⁸ For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.

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

Compare

BSB: I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”
KJV: 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.
WEB: I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
ASV: 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.
DARBY: I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have acquired wisdom more than all they that have been before me over Jerusalem; and my heart hath seen much of wisdom and knowledge.
BLB: I spoke with my heart, saying, “Behold, I have become great, and I have added wisdom over all who were before me in Jerusalem, and my heart has seen great wisdom and knowledge.”

ÅB: Jeg talte med meg selv i mitt indre og sa: Se, jeg har vunnet meg større og rikere visdom enn alle som har rådet over Jerusalem før meg, og mitt hjerte har skuet mye visdom og kunnskap.
OTB: Jeg sa til meg selv, "Se, jeg har økt i visdom mer enn noen som har hersket over Jerusalem før meg; jeg har opplevd mye visdom og kunnskap."
B1930: Jeg talte med mig selv i mitt indre og sa: Se, jeg har vunnet mig større og rikere visdom enn alle som har rådet over Jerusalem før mig, og mitt hjerte har skuet megen visdom og kunnskap.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ecclesiastes 2:9
So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.
Read in context
1 Kings 4:30
Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
Read in context
1 Kings 10:7
But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard.
Read in context
1 Kings 3:12–13
behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you.
Read in context
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
Read in context
2 Chronicles 2:12
And Hiram added: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.
Read in context
Psalms 4:4
Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah
Read in context
2 Chronicles 1:10–12
Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Read in context