Ecclesiastes 1:16

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Ecclesiastes 1:14–18 · Berean Standard Bible

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.

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.

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

Hebrew words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

2 Kings 5:20

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

Psalms 4:4

Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah

Psalms 77:6

At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered:

Isaiah 10:7

But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.

Isaiah 10:8

“Are not all my commanders kings?” he says.

Isaiah 10:9

“Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?

Isaiah 10:10

As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms whose images surpassed those of Jerusalem and Samaria,

Isaiah 10:11

and as I have done to Samaria and its idols, will I not also do to Jerusalem and her idols?”

Isaiah 10:12

So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes.

Isaiah 10:13

For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers.

Isaiah 10:14

My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’”

Jeremiah 22:14

who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion.

Ezekiel 38:10

This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan.

Ezekiel 38:11

You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a tranquil people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates—

Daniel 4:30

the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”

Ecclesiastes 2:9

So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.

1 Kings 3:12

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.

1 Kings 3:13

Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.

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.

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.

1 Kings 10:23

So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

1 Kings 10:24

The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.

2 Chronicles 1:10

Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”

2 Chronicles 1:11

God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or glory for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king—

2 Chronicles 1:12

therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.”

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.

2 Chronicles 9:22

So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

2 Chronicles 9:23

All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.

Hebrews 5:14

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.