Ecclesiastes 1:13

English Standard Version

13 And I applied my heart[1] to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. (Ge 3:19; 1Ki 4:33; Ec 1:17; Ec 2:23; Ec 2:26; Ec 3:10)

New International Version

13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!

New International Reader’s Version

13 I decided to study things carefully. I used my wisdom to check everything out. I looked into everything that is done on earth. What a heavy load God has put on human beings!

King James Version

13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.