Ecclesiastes 1:18
16 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.
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
- For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.
- KJV
- For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
- WEB
- For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
- ASV
- For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
- DARBY
- For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
- BLB
- For with an abundance of wisdom [is] much grief, and he [who] adds to knowledge adds to sorrow.
- ÅB
- For hvor det er mye visdom, der er det mye gremmelse, og den som øker kunnskap, øker smerte.
- OTB
- For med mye visdom kommer mye sorg; jo mer kunnskap, jo mer smerte.
- B1930
- For hvor det er megen visdom, der er det megen gremmelse, og den som øker kunnskap, øker smerte.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Job 28:28
And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Read in contextEcclesiastes 12:12–13
And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.
Read in context1 Corinthians 3:18–20
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 7:16
Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
Read in contextJames 3:13–17
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 2:23
Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 2:15
So I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?” And I said to myself that this too is futile.
Read in context