Get the free app for more features and content.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

2“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” 3What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun? 4One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever. 5The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises. 6The 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. 7All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again. 8All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9That 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. 10Is 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. 11There 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.

12I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13I 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. 14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. 15That which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted. 16I 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.” 17I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind. 18For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

PUBLIC DOMAIN
Learn more at https://WorldEnglish.Bible.

Featured Resources

The Disturbing But Surprising Wisdom of Ecclesiastes

The Disturbing But Surprising Wisdom of Ecclesi...

In Ecclesiastes, we hear the skeptical voice of “the teacher.” He observes th...

BibleProject

Introduction to Ecclesiastes

Introduction to Ecclesiastes

Dr. Rob Johnston introduces Ecclesiastes as a book of paradoxes, holding two ...

Fuller Studio

Ecclesiastes Speaks Today, Part One

Ecclesiastes Speaks Today, Part One

By: Alistair Begg at Basics Pastor Conference 2014 - http://www.truthforlife....

Truth For Life

Book of Ecclesiastes Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

Book of Ecclesiastes Summary: A Complete Animat...

Watch our overview video on the book of Ecclesiastes, which breaks down the l...

BibleProject

The Books of Solomon

The Books of Solomon

The wisest king of Israel, King Solomon, is associated with three books of th...

BibleProject

Old Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

Old Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Over...

Watch our overview video on the Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible...

BibleProject

Explore Ecclesiastes 1