THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES

 

Ecclesiastes Chapter 1

1 ¶ The words of the Preacher, the son of David, the king in Jerusalem.

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.

9 ¶ 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 Israel in Jerusalem.

13 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.