Ecclesiastes

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All [is] vanity!

What [is] the profit to a man in all his labor which he labors under the sun?

The sun also arises, and the sun goes hurrying to its place; it arises there [again].

The wind goes toward the south, and turning around to the north; the wind is going around and around. And the wind returns on its circuits.

All the rivers are going to the sea; yet the sea [is] not full. To the place where the rivers are going, there they [are] returning to go [again].

All words [are] wearisome; a man is not able to utter it. The eye is not satisfied to see, nor is the ear filled from hearing.

That which has been, it [is] that which shall be. And that which has been done, it [is] that which will be done. And there is no new [thing] under the sun.

Is there a thing [of] which one might say, See this, it [is] new? It has already been for the ages which were before us.

[There is] no memory of former [things]; yea, nor [is there] any memory for them of [things] which will be afterward, with those who will be at the last.

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

And I gave my heart to seek and to investigate by wisdom concerning all which is done under the heavens. [It is] an evil task God has given to the sons of men, to be afflicted by it.

I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; and, behold, all [is] vanity and striving [after] wind!

What [is] crooked cannot be made straight; and [that] lacking cannot be numbered.

I spoke with my heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have increased wisdom over all that have been over Jerusalem before me. Yea, my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness, and folly. I know that this also, it [is] striving [after] wind.

For in much wisdom [is] much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases pain.