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[1]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 remaineth unto man in all his travail, which he suffereth under the sun?
[4]One generation passeth, and another generation succeedeth: but the earth remaineth forever.
[5]The sun riseth, and the sun goeth down, and draweth to his place, where he riseth.
[6]The wind goeth toward the south, and compasseth toward the north: the wind goeth round about, and returneth by his circuits.
[7]All the rivers go into the sea, yet the sea is not full: for the rivers go unto the place, whence they return, and go.
[8]All things are full of labor: man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
[9]What is it that hath been? That that shall be: and what is it that hath been done? That which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
[10]Is there anything, whereof one may say, Behold this, it is new? It hath been already in the old time that was before us.
[11]There is no memory of the former, neither shall there be a remembrance of the latter that shall be, with them that shall come after.
[12]I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem:
[13]And I have given mine heart to search and find out wisdom by all things that are done under the heaven: (this sore travail hath God given to the sons of men, to humble them thereby)
[14]I have considered all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, and vexation of the spirit.
[15]That which is crooked, can none make straight: and that which faileth, cannot be numbered.
[16]I thought in mine heart, and said, Behold, I am become great, and excel in wisdom all them that have been before me in Jerusalem: and mine heart hath seen much wisdom and knowledge.
[17]And I gave mine heart to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and foolishness: I knew also that this is a vexation of the spirit.
[18]For in the multitude of wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.
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