Ecclesiastes 1:16

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

Futility of Secular Wisdom I thought to myself,“I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”

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Referenced Verses

  • Eccl 2:9 : 9 So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:
  • 1 Kgs 4:30 : 30 Solomon was wiser than all the men of the east and all the sages of Egypt.
  • 1 Kgs 10:7 : 7 I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! Your wisdom and wealth surpass what was reported to me.
  • 1 Kgs 3:12-13 : 12 I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you. 13 Furthermore, I am giving you what you did not request– riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation.
  • Isa 10:7-9 : 7 But he does not agree with this, his mind does not reason this way, for his goal is to destroy, and to eliminate many nations. 8 Indeed, he says:“Are not my officials all kings? 9 Is not Calneh like Carchemish? Hamath like Arpad? Samaria like Damascus? 10 I overpowered kingdoms ruled by idols, whose carved images were more impressive than Jerusalem’s or Samaria’s. 11 As I have done to Samaria and its idols, so I will do to Jerusalem and its idols.” 12 But when the Lord finishes judging Mount Zion and Jerusalem, then I will punish the king of Assyria for what he has proudly planned and for the arrogant attitude he displays. 13 For he says:“By my strong hand I have accomplished this, by my strategy that I devised. I invaded the territory of nations, and looted their storehouses. Like a mighty conqueror, I brought down rulers. 14 My hand discovered the wealth of the nations, as if it were in a nest, as one gathers up abandoned eggs, I gathered up the whole earth. There was no wing flapping, or open mouth chirping.”
  • Jer 22:14 : 14 He says,“I will build myself a large palace with spacious upper rooms.” He cuts windows in its walls, panels it with cedar, and paints its rooms red.
  • Ezek 38:10-11 : 10 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. 11 You will say,“I will invade a land of unwalled towns; I will advance against those living quietly in security– all of them living without walls and barred gates–
  • Dan 4:30 : 30 The king uttered these words:“Is this not the great Babylon that I have built for a royal residence by my own mighty strength and for my majestic honor?”
  • Heb 5:14 : 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
  • 1 Kgs 10:23-24 : 23 King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. 24 Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.
  • 2 Kgs 5:20 : 20 Gehazi, the prophet Elisha’s servant, thought,“Look, my master did not accept what this Syrian Naaman offered him. As certainly as the LORD lives, I will run after him and accept something from him.”
  • 2 Chr 1:10-12 : 10 Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.” 11 God said to Solomon,“Because you desire this, and did not ask for riches, wealth, and honor, or for vengeance on your enemies, and because you did not ask for long life, but requested wisdom and discernment so you can make judicial decisions for my people over whom I have made you king, 12 you are granted wisdom and discernment. Furthermore I am giving you riches, wealth, and honor surpassing that of any king before or after you.”
  • 2 Chr 2:12 : 12 Huram also said,“Worthy of praise is the LORD God of Israel, who made the sky and the earth! He has given King David a wise son who has discernment and insight and will build a temple for the LORD, as well as a royal palace for himself.
  • 2 Chr 9:22-23 : 22 King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. 23 All the kings of the earth wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.
  • Ps 4:4 : 4 Tremble with fear and do not sin! Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways!(Selah)
  • Ps 77:6 : 6 I said,“During the night I will remember the song I once sang; I will think very carefully.” I tried to make sense of what was happening.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 1:17-18
    2 verses
    86%

    17So 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!

    18For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.

  • Eccl 2:7-15
    9 verses
    86%

    7I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock– both herds and flocks– than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.

    8I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight– a harem of beautiful concubines!

    9So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:

    10I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort.

    11Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded:“All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless– like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”

    12Wisdom is Better than Folly Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king’s successor do than what the king has already done?

    13I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:

    14The wise man can see where he is going, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that the same fate happens to them both.

    15So I thought to myself,“The fate of the fool will happen even to me! Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively wise?” So I lamented to myself,“The benefits of wisdom are ultimately meaningless!”

  • Eccl 1:12-15
    4 verses
    81%

    12Futility of Secular Accomplishment I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

    13I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth. I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task that keeps them occupied.

    14I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile– like chasing the wind!

    15What is bent cannot be straightened, and what is missing cannot be supplied.

  • Eccl 7:25
    80%

    25True Righteousness and Wisdom Are Virtually Nonexistent I tried to understand, examine, and comprehend the role of wisdom in the scheme of things, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the insanity of folly.

  • Eccl 2:1-4
    4 verses
    78%

    1Futility of Self-Indulgent Pleasure I thought to myself,“Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile.

    2I said of partying,“It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure,“It accomplishes nothing!”

    3I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine(all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.

    4Futility of Materialism I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.

  • Eccl 7:23
    77%

    23Human Wisdom is Limited I have examined all this by wisdom; I said,“I am determined to comprehend this”– but it was beyond my grasp.

  • Eccl 9:13
    76%

    13Most People Are Not Receptive to Wise Counsel This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me:

  • Eccl 2:19-21
    3 verses
    75%

    19Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so wisely on earth! This also is futile!

    20So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth.

    21For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice!

  • Eccl 8:16-17
    2 verses
    75%

    16Limitations of Human Wisdom When I tried to gain wisdom and to observe the activity on earth– even though it prevents anyone from sleeping day or night–

    17then I discerned all that God has done: No one really comprehends what happens on earth. Despite all human efforts to discover it, no one can ever grasp it. Even if a wise person claimed that he understood, he would not really comprehend it.

  • 2 Chr 1:10-12
    3 verses
    74%

    10Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”

    11God said to Solomon,“Because you desire this, and did not ask for riches, wealth, and honor, or for vengeance on your enemies, and because you did not ask for long life, but requested wisdom and discernment so you can make judicial decisions for my people over whom I have made you king,

    12you are granted wisdom and discernment. Furthermore I am giving you riches, wealth, and honor surpassing that of any king before or after you.”

  • Eccl 2:25
    74%

    25For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him.

  • 1 Kgs 3:12
    74%

    12I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.

  • Job 31:25
    74%

    25if I have rejoiced because of the extent of my wealth, or because of the great wealth my hand had gained,

  • Prov 8:12
    74%

    12“I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

  • Eccl 1:1-2
    2 verses
    73%

    1¶ Title The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

    2Introduction: Utter Futility“Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher,“Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!”

  • Prov 8:14
    72%

    14Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me; I possess understanding and might.

  • Job 13:1
    72%

    1Job Pleads His Cause to God“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.

  • Eccl 3:18
    72%

    18I also thought to myself,“It is for the sake of people, so God can clearly show them that they are like animals.

  • Eccl 7:11
    72%

    11Wisdom Can Lengthen One’s Life Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.

  • Job 12:3
    72%

    3I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

  • Eccl 9:16
    72%

    16So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice.

  • 2 Chr 9:22
    72%

    22King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth.

  • Prov 16:16
    72%

    16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

  • Eccl 6:8
    71%

    8So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive?

  • Prov 1:2
    71%

    2To learn wisdom and moral instruction, to discern wise counsel.

  • 2 Chr 9:6
    71%

    6I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! Your wisdom surpasses what was reported to me.

  • Eccl 9:1
    71%

    1Everyone Will Die So I reflected on all this, attempting to clear it all up. I concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their works, are in the hand of God; whether a person will be loved or hated– no one knows what lies ahead.

  • Eccl 12:8
    71%

    8Concluding Refrain: Qoheleth Restates His Thesis“Absolutely futile!” laments the Teacher,“All of these things are futile!”

  • Eccl 2:17
    71%

    17So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile– like chasing the wind.