1 The
words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity
of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What
profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4 One
generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth
abideth for ever. 5 The
sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where
he arose. 6 The
wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth
about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7 All
the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from
whence the rivers come, thither they return again. 8 All
things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied
with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 The
thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done
is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been
already of old time, which was before us. 11 There
is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance
of things that are to come with those that shall come after. 12 I the
Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And
I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that
are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man
to be exercised therewith. 14 I have
seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity
and vexation of spirit. 15 That
which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot
be numbered. 16 I communed
with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten
more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my
heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And
I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived
that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For
in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth
sorrow.