Ecclesiastes 1:9-18 ▼

9 That which hath been is that which shall be, And that which hath been done is that which shall be done; And there is nothing new under the sun.

10 Is there a thing whereof it is said: 'See, this is new'?--it hath been already, in the ages which were before us.

11 There is no remembrance of them of former times; neither shall there be any remembrance of them of latter times that are to come, among those that shall come after.

12 I Koheleth have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven; it is a sore task that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight; And that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

16 I spoke with my own heart, saying: 'Lo, I have gotten great wisdom, more also than all that were before me over Jerusalem'; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly--I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.

18 For in much wisdom is much vexation; And he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.