Ecclesiastes 1:16

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

¹⁵ That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

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.

¹⁸ For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

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 was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
Read in context
1 Kings 4:30
And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
Read in context
1 Kings 10:7
Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
Read in context
1 Kings 3:12–13
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
Read in context
Hebrews 5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Read in context
2 Chronicles 2:12
Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
Read in context
Psalms 4:4
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Read in context
2 Chronicles 1:10–12
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
Read in context