Ecclesiastes 1:17 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

And I give my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I have known that even this [is] vexation of spirit;

English ASV

And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.

English Amplified

And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it. [I Thess. 5:21.]

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it. [I Thess. 5:21.]

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly; I learned that this too is a pursuit of the wind.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

And I applied my heart to the knowledge of wisdom, and to the knowledge of madness and folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after the wind.

English EASY 2024

So I decided to study how much wisdom and knowledge really help a person. I wanted to learn if it was better than someone who only does foolish things. But this was also useless, like somebody who tries to catch the wind.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

I decided to learn how wisdom and knowledge are better than thinking foolish thoughts. But I learned that trying to become wise is like trying to catch the wind.

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

English GNT (Good News Translation)

I was determined to learn the difference between knowledge and foolishness, wisdom and madness. But I found out that I might as well be chasing the wind.

English God's Word - GW 1995

I've used my mind to understand wisdom and knowledge as well as madness and stupidity. {Now} I know that this is {like} trying to catch the wind.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly; I learned that this too is a pursuit of the wind.

English KJV 1611

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

English LSB

And I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and simpleminded folly; I came to know that this also is striving after wind.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know the folly of ideas, and to know foolish behavior. I know that this as well is like chasing the wind.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

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

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

yet when I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly, I learned that this also is a chase after wind.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

Then I used my mind to understand what it really means to be wise. And I wanted to know what foolish pleasure is all about. But I found out that that's also like chasing the wind.

English NIV

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.

English NKJ 1982

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

English NLT

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

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

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.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

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

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

So I worked hard to be wise instead of foolish—but now I realize that even this was like chasing the wind.

English Tyndale 1537

for there unto I applied my mind: that I might know what were wisdom and understanding, what were error and foolishness. And I perceived that this also was but a vexation of mind:

Ecclesiastes 1:17 — Compare Translations