11. There is no remembrance of the former things. Indeed, neither shall there be any record of past things in the future, for those who will exist at the very end.
12. I, Ecclesiastes, was king of Israel at Jerusalem.
13. And I was determined in my mind to seek and to investigate wisely, concerning all that is done under the sun. God has given this very difficult task to the sons of men, so that they may be occupied by it.
14. I have seen all that is done under the sun, and behold: all is emptiness and an affliction of the spirit.
15. The perverse are unwilling to be corrected, and the number of the foolish is boundless.
16. I have spoken in my heart, saying: "Behold, I have achieved greatness, and I have surpassed all the wise who were before me in Jerusalem." And my mind has contemplated many things wisely, and I have learned.
17. And I have dedicated my heart, so that I may know prudence and doctrine, and also error and foolishness. Yet I recognize that, in these things also, there is hardship, and affliction of the spirit.
18. Because of this, with much wisdom there is also much anger. And whoever adds knowledge, also adds hardship.