Ecclesiastes 1:1-10 ▼

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.