Everything Is Futile

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

2Vanity of vanities, said the preacher; vanity of vanities, all vanity.

3What the profit to a man in all the labor he will labor under the sun?

4A generation went away, and a generation came: and the earth stood forever.

5The sun arose and the sun went down, and panted after its place which it arose there.

6Going to the south and turning round about to the north, it turned round about; the wind turned round about, going, and the wind turned back upon its circuits.

7All the torrents going into the sea, and the sea not full: to the place the torrents going, there they turn back to go.

8All words becoming weary; man shall not be able to speak: the eye shall not be satisfied to see, and the ear shall not be filled from hearing.

9What was, that shall be; and what was done, that shall be done: and not anything new under the sun.

10Is there a word will be said, See, this is new? This was already to a long time which was before us.

11No remembrance to former things; and also to the latter things that shall be; to them shall be no remembrance with them which shall be for the latter state.

With Wisdom Comes Sorrow

12I the preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13And I gave my heart to seek and to search out in wisdom concerning all which was done under the heavens: this evil business God gave to the sons of man to be occupied in it. 14I saw all the works they did under the sun; and behold, all vanity and striving of the spirit. 15The crooked thing shall not be able to be made straight: and the deficiency shall not be able to be numbered.

16It spake with my heart, saying, Behold, I was magnified, and added wisdom over all that were before me at Jerusalem: and my heart saw much of wisdom and knowledge. 17And I will give my heart to know wisdom, and the knowledge of praise and understanding: I knew this also it is the striving of the spirit. 18For in abundance of wisdom, abundance of trouble: and he adding knowledge will increase pain.