| Chapter 1 |
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. --
|