1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Cross refs
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Cross refs
3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? Cross refs
4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. Cross refs
5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. Cross refs
6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. Cross refs
7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. Cross refs
8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. Cross refs
9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Cross refs
10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. Cross refs
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. Cross refs
12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. Cross refs
13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. Cross refs
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Cross refs
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. Cross refs
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. Cross refs
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. Cross refs
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Cross refs