1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is
vanity.” 3 What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under
the sun? 4 One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the
earth remains forever. 5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and
hurries to its place where it rises. 6 The wind goes toward the south, and
turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the
wind returns again to its courses. 7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet
the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow
again. 8 All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not
satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 That which has
been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall
be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of
which it may be said, “Behold, this is new?” It has been long ago, in the
ages which were before us. 11 There is no memory of the former; neither
shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that
shall come after.
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my
heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under
the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be
afflicted with. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun;
and, behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. 15 That which is
crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.
16 I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom
above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great
experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 I applied my heart to know wisdom,
and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after
wind. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge
increases sorrow.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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