THE
BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES
Ecclesiastes
Chapter 1
1
¶ The words of the Preacher, the son of David, the king in
2
Futility of futilities, says the Preacher, futility of futilities; everything
is futile.
3
What does a man gain for all the hard work that he is doing under the sun?
4
¶ One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but
the earth stands forever.
5
The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, eager to return to the place where
it arose.
6
The wind blows toward the south, and turns around to the north; it whirls
around continually, and the wind returns according to its cycle.
7
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; they return
back to the place from where they came.
8
Everything is tiresome; more than anyone can tell: more than any eye can
see, more than any ear can hear.
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¶ What has been is that which will be; and what has been done is that
which will be done: there is nothing new under the sun.
10
Is there anything of which it may be said, Look, this is new? it has
been there already, long before us.
11
There is no memory of things that came before; nor will those who
come after us remember things to come.
12
¶ I the Preacher have been king of
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And I applied my mind to seek and search out by wisdom all that is done under
heaven: it is a burdensome task that God has given to the sons of man to weary
themselves with.
14
I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and, behold, all is
futility and vexation of spirit.
15
That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is not
there cannot be numbered.
16
I said to myself, Look, I have acquired great wisdom, far more than all those
who were over Jerusalem before me: yea, my heart has amassed wisdom and
knowledge.
17
And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to understand madness and folly: I
perceived that this also is but a striving after the wind.
18
For in much wisdom there is much grief: and he who increases knowledge
increases sorrow.