Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
The Vanity of Wisdom
12I, the aPreacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13And I agave my heart to seek and bexplore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is 1a grievous cendeavor which God has given to the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. 14I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is 1,avanity and striving after wind. 15What is abent cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16I spoke within my heart, saying, “Behold, I have magnified and increased awisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my heart has seen an abundance of wisdom and knowledge.” 17And I agave my heart to know wisdom and to bknow madness and simpleminded folly; I came to know that this also is cstriving after wind. 18Because ain much wisdom there is much vexation, and whoever increases knowledge increases pain.