^{13 Ref} And I have given my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that hath been done under the heavens. It `is' a sad travail God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.

^{14 Ref} I have seen all the works that have been done under the sun, and lo, the whole `is' vanity and vexation of spirit!

^{15 Ref} A crooked thing `one' is not able to make straight, and a lacking thing is not able to be numbered.

^{16 Ref} I -- I spake with my heart, saying, `I, lo, I have magnified and added wisdom above every one who hath been before me at Jerusalem, and my heart hath seen abundantly wisdom and knowledge.

^{17 Ref} And I give my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I have known that even this `is' vexation of spirit;