Book 21 Ecclesiastes 001:001 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem: 001:002 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." 001:003 What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun? 001:004 One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever. 001:005 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises. 001:006 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. 001:007 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again. 001:008 All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 001:009 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. 001:010 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. 001:011 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. 001:012 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 001:013 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. 001:014 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. 001:015 That which is crooked can't be made straight; and that which is lacking can't be counted. 001:016 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." 001:017 I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind. 001:018 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. 002:001 I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and behold, this also was vanity. 002:002 I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?" 002:003 I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives. 002:004 I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.