Ecclesiastes 1:9-18

⁹The thing that hath been is that which shall be, and that which hath been done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun.

¹⁰Is there any thing of which one may say, “Behold, this is new”? It was long ago, in the times which were before us.

¹¹There is no remembrance of former things, and of things that are to come there shall be no remembrance to those who live afterwards.

¹²I, the Preacher, was king over Israel at Jerusalem.

¹³And I gave my mind to seek and to search out with wisdom concerning all things which are done under heaven; an evil business, which God hath given to the sons of men, in which to employ themselves.

¹⁴I saw all the things which are done under the sun; and, behold, it was all vanity, and striving after wind.

¹⁵That which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

¹⁶I communed with my heart, saying, “Behold, I have gained more and greater wisdom than all who have been before me at Jerusalem; yea, my mind hath seen much wisdom and knowledge.”

¹⁷And I gave my mind to know wisdom, and to know senselessness and folly; I perceived that this also is striving after wind.

¹⁸For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.