Ecclesiastes 1:13-16

Christian Standard Bible

¹³ I applied my mind to examine^(A) and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven.^(B) God has given people^[a] this miserable task to keep them occupied.^{(C) 14} I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.^[b](D)

¹⁶ I said to myself, “See, I have amassed wisdom far beyond all those who were over Jerusalem before me,^(F) and my mind has thoroughly grasped^[c] wisdom and knowledge.”