Ecclesiastes 1:18 “For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief…”

Ecclesiastes 1:18

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

World English Bible

For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

American Standard Version

For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Geneva Bible 1599

For in the multitude of wisedome is much griefe: and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorowe.

Darby Translation

For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Young's Literal Translation

for, in abundance of wisdom [is] abundance of sadness, and he who addeth knowledge addeth pain.'

Bible in Basic English

Because in much wisdom is much grief, and increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow.

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Cross references

“For in”

Job 28:28 1 Corinthians 3:18–20 Ecclesiastes 7:16 James 3:13–17 Ecclesiastes 2:15 Ecclesiastes 12:12

Job 28:28 · BSB

And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

1 Corinthians 3:18–20 · BSB

Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

Ecclesiastes 7:16 · BSB

Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

James 3:13–17 · BSB

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 2:15 · BSB

So I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will also befall me. What then have I gained by being wise?” And I said to myself that this too is futile.

Ecclesiastes 12:12 · BSB

And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.

Also

Ecclesiastes 2:23

Ecclesiastes 2:23 · BSB

Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

17So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

Read Ecclesiastes 1