1
The words[H1697] of the Preacher[H6953], the son[H1121] of David[H1732], king[H4428] in Jerusalem[H3389].
2Vanity[H1892] of vanities[H1892], saith[H559] the Preacher[H6953], vanity[H1892] of vanities[H1892]; all is vanity[H1892].
3
What profit[H3504] hath a man[H120] of all his labour[H5999] which he taketh[H5998] under the sun?[H8121]
4
One generation[H1755] passeth away[H1980], and another generation[H1755]cometh[H935]: but the earth[H776]abideth[H5975] for ever[H5769].
5
The sun[H8121] also ariseth[H2224], and the sun[H8121] goeth down[H935], and hasteth[H7602] to his place[H4725] where he arose[H2224].
6
The wind[H7307]goeth[H1980] toward the south[H1864], and turneth about[H5437] unto the north[H6828]; it whirleth about[H5437]continually[H1980], and the wind[H7307] returneth again[H7725] according to his circuits[H5439].
7
All the rivers[H5158]run[H1980] into the sea[H3220]; yet the sea[H3220] is not full[H4392]; unto the place[H4725] from whence the rivers[H5158]come[H1980], thither they return[H7725]again[H3212].
8
All things[H1697] are full of labour[H3023]; man[H376]cannot[H3201]utter[H1696] it: the eye[H5869] is not satisfied[H7646] with seeing[H7200], nor the ear[H241]filled[H4390] with hearing[H8085].
9
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done[H6213] is that which shall be done[H6213]: and there is no new[H2319] thing under the sun[H8121].
10
Is there[H3426] any thing[H1697] whereof it may be said[H559], See[H7200], this is new?[H2319] it hath been already[H3528] of old time[H5769], which was before[H6440] us.
11
There is no remembrance[H2146] of former[H7223] things; neither shall there be any remembrance[H2146] of things that are to come[H314] with those that shall come[H314]after[H314].
12
I the Preacher[H6953] was king[H4428] over Israel[H3478] in Jerusalem[H3389].
13
And I gave[H5414] my heart[H3820] to seek[H1875] and search out[H8446] by wisdom[H2451] concerning all things that are done[H6213] under heaven[H8064]: this sore[H7451]travail[H6045] hath God[H430]given[H5414] to the sons[H1121] of man[H120] to be exercised[H6031] therewith.
14
I have seen[H7200] all the works[H4639] that are done[H6213] under the sun[H8121]; and, behold, all is vanity[H1892] and vexation[H7469] of spirit[H7307].
15
That which is crooked[H5791]cannot[H3201] be made straight[H8626]: and that which is wanting[H2642]cannot[H3201] be numbered[H4487].
16
I communed[H1696] with mine own heart[H3820], saying[H559], Lo, I am come to great[H7235]estate[H1431], and have gotten[H3254] more wisdom[H2451] than all they that have been before[H6440] me in Jerusalem[H3389]: yea, my heart[H3820] had great[H7235]experience[H7200] of wisdom[H2451] and knowledge[H1847].
17
And I gave[H5414] my heart[H3820] to know[H3045]wisdom[H2451], and to know[H3045]madness[H1947] and folly[H5531]: I perceived[H3045] that this[H1571] also is vexation[H7475] of spirit[H7307].
18
For in much[H7230]wisdom[H2451] is much[H7230]grief[H3708]: and he that increaseth[H3254]knowledge[H1847]increaseth[H3254]sorrow[H4341].