Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ecclesiastes 8:17:

• Kupsabiny: “then I saw what God had done. A person will try to understand something, but he is unable to know/realize what is happening in this world. Even though people who are wise may boast that they understand things, but truly they do not know anything.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
• Newari: “After that I saw all the things that God has done. No one is able to understand what happens in this world. Man is not able to understand the meaning of all these matters even though he searches with all his strength. Whatever happens, even though the wise man says that he certainly knows the meaning of this, he is not able to precisely understand it.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
• Hiligaynon: “I saw all that God is-doing here on earth, and no man can-understand this. Even-though how man is trying-hard to understand it, he will- not -understand. Even a wise man will-say that he understands, the truth is he will- not [intensifier] -understand.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
• English: “Then I thought about everything that God has done, and I realized that no one can understand everything that happens here on this earth. Truly, people are not able to fully understand everything that God understands, even if they try hard to do that. Even if wise people claim that they understand it all, they cannot.” (Source: Translation for Translators)