I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man ¹  on earth, ²  and I concluded: Everything ³  he has accomplished ⁴  is futile ⁵  – like chasing the wind! ⁶ 

Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil ¹  and chasing the wind.

Look, the Lord will throw you far away, ¹  you mere man! ²  He will wrap you up tightly. ³ 

In the womb he attacked his brother; in his manly vigor he struggled ¹  with God.

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin” ¹ 

“I have many more things to say to you, ¹  but you cannot bear ²  them now.

¹ Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have ²  peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise ¹  by understanding ²  what the Lord’s will is.

Think about what I am saying and ¹  the Lord will give you understanding of all this. ² 

The men took this as a good omen and quickly accepted his offer, saying, “Ben Hadad is your brother.” Ahab ¹  then said, “Go, get him.” So Ben Hadad came out to him, and Ahab pulled him up into his chariot.

You yourself will not escape his clutches, but will certainly be captured and handed over to him. You must confront the king of Babylon face to face and answer to him personally. ¹  Then you must go to Babylon.

I was in peace, and he has shattered me. ¹  He has seized me by the neck and crushed me. ²  He has made me his target;

I will not even consider doing what is dishonest. ¹  I hate doing evil; ²  I will have no part of it. ³ 

So I decided ¹  to discern the benefit of ²  wisdom and knowledge over ³  foolish behavior and ideas; ⁴  however, I concluded ⁵  that even ⁶  this endeavor ⁷  is like ⁸  trying to chase the wind! ⁹ 

So I loathed ¹  life ²  because what happens ³  on earth ⁴  seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom ⁵  are futile – like chasing the wind.

It is better to be content with ¹  what the eyes can see ²  than for one’s heart always to crave more. ³  This continual longing ⁴  is futile – like ⁵  chasing the wind.

Therefore you will no longer see false visions and practice divination. I will rescue my people from your power, and you ¹  will know that I am the Lord.’”

Archers ¹  will not hold their ground; ²  fast runners will not save their lives, nor will those who ride horses. ³ 

For this reason I speak to them in parables: Although they see they do not see, and although they hear they do not hear nor do they understand.

And concerning them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: ‘You will listen carefully ¹  yet will never understand, you will look closely ²  yet will never comprehend.