Ecclesiastes or, the Preacher
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1 The words of Koheleth, the son of David, the king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth, vanity of vanities: all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his toil which he toil-eth under the sun? 4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth endureth for ever. 5 The sun also riseth, and the sun goeth down, and striving to reach his place he riseth again there. 6 Going toward the south, and turning round toward the north, the wind moveth round about continually; and around its circles doth the wind return again. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is never full: unto the place whither the rivers go, thither will they continue to go. 8 All things weary themselves [constantly]; man can not utter them: the eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 That which hath been, is the same which will be; and that which hath been done, is the same which will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun. 10 If there be any thing whereof it is said, See, this is new: It hath already been in olden times which were before us. 11 [Only] there is no recollection of former [generations]; and also of the later ones, that are to be—of these [likewise] there will be no recollection with those that will be still later. 12 I Koheleth was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I directed my heart to inquire and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: this is an evil employment which God hath given to the sons of man to busy themselves therewith. 14 I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun: and, behold, all is vanity and a torture of the spirit. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is defective cannot be numbered. 16 I spoke with my own heart, saying, Lo, I have truly obtained greater and more wisdom than all those who have been before me over Jerusalem: yea, my heart had seen much wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I directed my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly; [but] I have perceived that this also is a torture of the spirit. 18 For where there is much wisdom there is much vexation: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth pain.