Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 Back Next{1:1} The words of the Preacher, the son of
David,
king in
Jerusalem:
{1:2} "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
{1:3} What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?
{1:4} One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the
earth remains forever.
{1:5} The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.
{1:6} 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.
{1:7} All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.
{1:8} All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
{1:9} 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.
{1:10} 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.
{1:11} 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.
{1:12} I, the Preacher, was king over
Israel in Jerusalem.
{1:13} 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.
{1:14} I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
{1:15} That which is crooked can't be made straight; and that which is lacking can't be counted.
{1:16} 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."
{1:17} I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know
madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
{1:18} For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 Back Next