Ecclesiastes 1

1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all vanity. 3What profit has a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4generation passeth away, and generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. 5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea not full; unto the place from from where the rivers come, thither they return again. 8All things full of labour; man cannot utter : the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9The thing that has been, it which shall be; and that which is done that which shall be done: and no new under the sun. 10Is there thing whereof it may be said, See, this new? it has been already of old time, which was before us. 11no remembrance of former ; neither shall there be remembrance of that are to come with that shall come after. 12I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that are done under heaven: this sore travail has Elohim given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all vanity and vexation of spirit. 15crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all that have been before me in Jerusalem: yes, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18For in much wisdom much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.