 1 The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities. All is vanity. 3 What is the profit to a man in all his labor that he labors under the sun? 4 A generation passes away and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises and the sun goes down and hurries to its place where it arose. 6 The wind goes toward the south and turns around to the north. It whirls around continually and returns on its circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place from where the rivers come, there they return again. 8 All things are full of labor. Man cannot utter it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 What has been is what will be. What has been done is what will be done. There is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? It has already been in days of old that were before us. 11 There is no memory of former and no memory of after that will be. For neither will be a remembrance of them with those who will be after. 12 I the Teacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens. It is a sad task God has given to the sons of men to be humbled by it. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun. And all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight and what is lacking cannot be numbered. 16 I spoke within my own heart saying, I have become great and have gathered more wisdom than all who have been before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has seen much of wisdom and knowledge. 17 I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I know that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief. Those who increase knowledge increase sorrow.
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