Ecclesiastes 1
1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king of Israel in Jerusalem. 1
2Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, 1 Vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 1
3What advantage is there to a man 1 In all his labor that he takes under the sun? 1
4A generation goes, and a generation comes: 1 But the earth stands forever. 1
5And the sun arises, and the sun goes down 1 And draws toward its place; 1
6Arising there it proceeds southward, 1 And goes round toward the north. 1 The wind goes round and round, 1 And the wind returns to its circuits. 1
7All the rivers run into the sea; 1 And yet the sea is not filled: 1 To the place whence the rivers come, 1 Thither they return again. 1
8All things are full of labor; 1 A man will not be able to speak of them: 1 Neither shall the eye be satisfied with seeing, 1 Neither shall the ear be filled with hearing. 1
9What is that which has been? the very thing which shall be: 1 And what is that which has been done? the very thing which shall be done: 1 And there is no new thing under the sun. 1
10Who is he that shall speak and say, Behold, this is new? 1 It has already been in the ages 1 That have passed before us. 1
11There is no memorial to the first things; 1 Neither to the things that have been last 1 Shall their memorial be 1 With them that shall be at the last time. 1
12I the Preacher 1 Was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 1
13And I applied my heart to seek out 1 And examine by wisdom concerning all things 1 That are done under heaven, 1 For God has given to the sons of men 1 An evil trouble 1 To be troubled therewith. 1
14I beheld all the works 1 That were wrought under the sun; 1 And, behold, all were vanity and waywardness of spirit. 1
15That which is crooked cannot be made straight: 1 And deficiency cannot be numbered. 1
16I spoke in my heart, saying, 1 Behold, I am increased, 1 And have acquired wisdom beyond all 1 Who were before me in Jerusalem: 1 Also I applied my heart to know wisdom and knowledge. 1
17And my heart knew much—wisdom, and knowledge, 1 Parables and understanding: 1 I perceived that this also is waywardness of spirit. 1
18For in the abundance of wisdom is abundance of knowledge; 1 And he that increases knowledge will increase sorrow.