23 All this I tested by wisdom and I said,

“I am determined to be wise”—

but this was beyond me.

24 Whatever exists is far off and most profound—

who can discover it?

23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

23 I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work. 24 Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find.

23 All this I have proved by wisdom.

I said, “I will be wise”;

But it was far from me.

24 As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep,

Who can find it out?

23 I used wisdom to test all these things.

I wanted to be wise,

but it was too hard for me.

24 I cannot understand why things are as they are.

It is too hard for anyone to understand.

23 All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24 That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?

23 All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24 Whatever hath been, is far off, and exceeding deep: who will find it out?

23 I used wisdom to test all of this. I said, “I want to be wise, but it is out of my reach.” 24 Whatever wisdom may be, it is out of reach. It is deep, very deep. Who can find out what it is?

23 I have tested all this by wisdom. I resolved, “I will be wise,” but it was beyond me. 24 What exists is beyond reach and very deep. Who can discover it?

23 All this I have tested by wisdom; I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. 24 That which is, is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?

23 All this I have tested with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise!” but it was beyond my grasp. 24 Whatever is—it is far beyond comprehension. Who can discover it?

23 I used wisdom to put all of those things to the test. I said,

“I’ve made up my mind to be wise.”

But it was more than I could accomplish.

24 No matter what else wisdom may be,

it’s far away and very deep.

Who can find it?

23 I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.

24 What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it?