1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2 �Vanity of vanities,� says the Preacher; �Vanity of vanities, all is
vanity.� 3 What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under
the sun? 4 One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the
earth remains forever. 5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and
hurries to its place where it rises. 6 The wind goes toward the south, and
turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the
wind returns again to its courses. 7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet
the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow
again. 8 All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not
satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 That which has
been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall
be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of
which it may be said, �Behold, this is new?� It has been long ago, in the
ages which were before us. 11 There is no memory of the former; neither
shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that
shall come after.
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my
heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under
the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be
afflicted with. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun;
and, behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. 15 That which is
crooked can�t be made straight; and that which is lacking can�t be counted.
16 I said to myself, �Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom
above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great
experience of wisdom and knowledge.� 17 I applied my heart to know wisdom,
and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after
wind. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge
increases sorrow.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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