1:1
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
1:2
“Vanity of vanities,” saith the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities. All is vanity.”
1:3
What profit has a man for all his labors under the sun?
1:4
One generation passes away and another generation comes,
but the earth abides forever.
1:5
The sun also rises and the sun goes down,
and hastens to the place from whence it arose.
1:6
The wind goes toward the south and turns about to the north.
It whirls continually, and returns again according to its circuits.
1:7
All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full.
Unto the place from whence rivers come, there they again return.
1:8
Everything is wearisome beyond description.
The eye cannot be satisfied by seeing.
The ear cannot be filled with hearing.
1:9
That which has been, is that which shall be.
That which is done, is that which shall be done.
There is nothing new under the sun.
1:10
Is there anything of which it can be said, “See, this is new”?
Anything that has not already been in the ages before us?
1:11
There is no remembrance of things past.
Neither shall there be any remembrance of things today
by those who live after us.
1:12
I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
1:13
With all my heart and wisdom, I applied myself
to searching out the truth of all things that are done under heaven.
God has given this sore travail to the sons of man to keep them occupied.
1:14
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun,
and behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
1:15
That which is crooked cannot be made straight.
That which is not there cannot be numbered.
1:16
I communed with my heart, saying, “Lo, I have come to great estate,
and have gained more wisdom than all who ruled before me in Jerusalem.
Yea, my heart has absorbed great wisdom and knowledge.”
1:17
I gave over my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly.
And I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
1:18
For in much wisdom is much grief,
and he who increases his knowledge, increases his sorrow.