## I applied my mind ## AT: "I determined" or "I made up my mind" ## to study and to search ## These two phrases mean the same thing and are combined for emphasis. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) ## sons of men ## AT: "human beings" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) ## all the deeds that are done ## AT: "everything that people do" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) ## vapor ## "mist" or "breath." It does not last. AT: "temporary" or "worthless." What people do is like vapor because it does not last and is worthless. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) ## an attempt to shepherd the wind ## The Teacher says that the things that people do are like trying to catch the wind or to keep the wind from blowing. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) ## The twisted cannot be straightened! The missing cannot be counted! ## AT: "People cannot straighten things that are twisted! They cannot count what is not there!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])