10. Is there anything of which one might say, "See this, it is new"? Already it has existed for ages Which were before us.
11. There is no remembrance of earlier things; And also of the later things which will occur, There will be for them no remembrance Among those who will come later still.
12. I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13. And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
14. I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.
15. What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16. I said to myself, "Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge."