1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit does a man have of all his labour which he takes under the sun? 4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes, but the earth abides for ever. 5 The sun arises, and the sun goes down, and with desire returns to his place from which he arises again. 6 The wind goes toward the south and turns about unto the north; it whirls about continually, and the wind returns again according to its circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again. 8 All things are full of labour; more than man can express; the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 The thing that has 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. 10 Is there any thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time which was before us. 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.