Ecclesiastes 1:17

So I decided ¹  to discern the benefit of ²  wisdom and knowledge over ³  foolish behavior and ideas; ⁴  however, I concluded ⁵  that even ⁶  this endeavor ⁷  is like ⁸  trying to chase the wind! ⁹ 

Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.

And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind.

So I worked hard to distinguish wisdom from foolishness. But now I realize that even this was like chasing the wind.

What I've finally concluded is that so-called wisdom and knowledge are mindless and witless--nothing but spitting into the wind.

And I gave my heart to getting knowledge of wisdom, and of the ways of the foolish. And I saw that this again was desire for wind.

And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a chasing after wind.

And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

So I decided ¹  to discern the benefit of ²  wisdom and knowledge over ³  foolish behavior and ideas; ⁴  however, I concluded ⁵  that even ⁶  this endeavor ⁷  is like ⁸  trying to chase the wind! ⁹ 

¹ tn Heb “gave my heart,” or “set my mind.” See v. 13.

² tn The phrase “the benefit of” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

³ tn The word “over” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁴ tn The terms שִׂכְלוּת (sikhlut, “folly”) and הוֹלֵלוֹת (holelot, “foolishness”) are synonyms. The term שִׂכְלוּת (alternate spelling of סִכְלוּת, sikhlut) refers to foolish behavior (HALOT 755 s.v. סִכְלוּת), while הוֹלֵלוֹת refers to foolish ideas and mental blindness (HALOT 242 s.v. הוֹלֵלוֹת). Qoheleth uses these terms to refer to foolish ideas and self-indulgent pleasures (e.g., Eccl 2:2-3, 12-14; 7:25; 9:3; 10:1, 6, 13).

⁵ tn Heb “I know.”

⁶ tn The term גַּם (gam, “even”) is a particle of association and emphasis (HALOT 195 s.v. גַּם).

⁷ tn This term does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁸ tn This term does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁹ tn Heb “striving of wind.”