10. Is there anything of which it may be said,“See, this is new”?It has already been in ancient times before us.
11. There is no remembrance of former things,Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to comeBy those who will come after.
12. I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13. And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.
14. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
15. What is crooked cannot be made straight,And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16. I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.”
17. And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18. For in much wisdom is much grief,And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.