All Is Vanity

1The words of the [†]Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2“[†]Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,

“[†]Vanity of vanities! All is [†]vanity.”

3What advantage does man have in all his labor

In which he labors under the sun?

4A generation goes and a generation comes,

But the earth stands forever.

5Also, the sun rises and the sun sets;

And [†]hastening to its place it rises there again.

6Going toward the south,

Then [†]circling toward the north,

The wind goes [†]circling along;

And on its circular courses the wind returns.

7All the rivers go into the sea,

Yet the sea is not full.

To the place where the rivers go,

There they [†]continually go.

8All things are wearisome;

Man is not able to speak of it.

The eye is not satisfied with seeing,

Nor is the ear filled with hearing.

9That which has been is that which will be,

And that which has been done is that which will be done.

So there is nothing new under the sun.

10Is there anything of which one might say,

“See this, it is new”?

Already it has been for ages

Which were before us.

11There is no remembrance of [†]earlier things;

And also of the [†]later things which will be,

There will be for them no remembrance

Among those who will come [†]later still.

The Vanity of Wisdom

12I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13And I gave my heart to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is [†]a grievous endeavor which God has given to the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. 14I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is [†]vanity and striving after wind. 15What is bent cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted.

16I spoke within my heart, saying, “Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my heart has seen an abundance of wisdom and knowledge.” 17And I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and simpleminded folly; I came to know that this also is striving after wind. 18Because in much wisdom there is much vexation, and whoever increases knowledge increases pain.