Ecclesiastes 1:13

Contemporary English Version (Anglicised) 2012

With all my wisdom I tried to understand everything that happens here on earth. And God has made this so hard for us humans to do.

Cross References

Genesis 3:19

You will have to sweat to earn a living; you were made out of soil, and you will once again turn into soil.”

Job 28:3

Miners carry lanterns deep into the darkness to search for these metals.

Psalm 111:2

The LORD has done many wonderful things! Everyone who is pleased with God's marvellous deeds will keep them in mind.

Proverbs 18:1

It's selfish and stupid to think only of yourself and to sneer at people who have sense.

Proverbs 18:15

Everyone with good sense wants to learn.

Proverbs 23:26

My son, pay close attention, and gladly follow my example.

Proverbs 25:2

God is praised for being mysterious; rulers are praised for explaining mysteries.

Proverbs 4:7

The best thing about Wisdom is Wisdom herself; good sense is more important than anything else.

Ecclesiastes 1:17

Then I decided to find out all I could about wisdom and foolishness. Soon I realized that this too was as senseless as chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

No one can explain how a baby breathes before it is born. So how can anyone explain what God does? After all, he created everything.

Ecclesiastes 12:12

My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these. There is no end to books, and too much study will wear you out.

Ecclesiastes 2:23

Our bodies ache during the day, and work is torture. Then at night our thoughts are troubled. It just doesn't make sense.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

If we please God, he will make us wise, understanding, and happy. But if we sin, God will make us struggle for a living, then he will give all we own to someone who pleases him. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 3:10

I have seen what difficult things God demands of us.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Then I realized that we work and do wonderful things just because we are jealous of others. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

For example, some people don't have friends or family. But they are never satisfied with what they own, and they never stop working to get more. They should ask themselves, “Why am I always working to have more? Who will get what I leave behind?” What a senseless and miserable life!

Ecclesiastes 7:25

So I decided to learn everything I could and become wise enough to discover what life is all about. At the same time, I wanted to understand why it's stupid and senseless to be an evil fool.

Ecclesiastes 8:9

I noticed all this and thought seriously about what goes on in the world. Why does one person have the power to hurt another?

1 Timothy 4:15

Remember these things and think about them, so everyone can see how well you are doing.