Read Ecclesiastes 1

World English Bible · 18 verses

1. ¹ The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
2. ² “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
3. ³ What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
4. ⁴ One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
5. ⁵ The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
6. 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
7. 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
8. ⁸ All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
9. 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
10. 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
11. 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
12. ¹² I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
13. 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
14. ¹⁴ I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
15. ¹⁵ That which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
16. 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.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
17. ¹⁷ I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
18. ¹⁸ For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org