Ecclesiastes1

The Preacher, son of David and king in Jerusalem, declares that all is "vanity of vanities," questioning the ultimate profit of human labor under the sun. He observes the ceaseless, cyclical patterns of nature and generations, concluding that there is "no new thing under the sun." His personal quest for wisdom and knowledge ultimately leads to vexation of spirit and increased sorrow.

Introduction of the Preacher (Qoheleth)

1
The wordes of the Preacher, the sonne of Dauid King in Ierusalem.

The Core Thesis: All is Vanity

2
Vanitie of vanities, sayth the Preacher: vanitie of vanities, all is vanitie.
3
What remaineth vnto man in all his trauaile, which he suffereth vnder ye sunne?

The Cycles of Wearisome Repetition

4
One generation passeth, and another generation succeedeth: but the earth remaineth for euer.
5
The sunne riseth, and ye sunne goeth downe, and draweth to his place, where he riseth.
6
The winde goeth toward the South, and compasseth towarde the North: the winde goeth rounde about, and returneth by his circuites.
7
All the riuers goe into the sea, yet the sea is not full: for the riuers goe vnto ye place, whence they returne, and goe.
8
All things are full of labour: man cannot vtter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the eare filled with hearing.
9
What is it that hath bene? that that shalbe: and what is it that hath bene done? that which shalbe done: and there is no newe thing vnder the sunne.
10
Is there any thing, whereof one may say, Beholde this, it is newe? it hath bene already in the olde time that was before vs.
11
There is no memorie of the former, neither shall there be a remembrance of the latter that shalbe, with them that shall come after.

Qoheleth’s Investigation into Wisdom

12
I the Preacher haue bene King ouer Israel in Ierusalem:
13
And I haue giuen mine heart to search and finde out wisdome by all things that are done vnder the heauen: (this sore trauaile hath GOD giuen to the sonnes of men, to humble them thereby)
14
I haue considered all the workes that are done vnder the sunne, and beholde, all is vanitie, and vexation of the spirit.
15
That which is crooked, can none make straight: and that which faileth, cannot be nombred.
16
I thought in mine heart, and said, Behold, I am become great, and excell in wisdome all them that haue bene before me in Ierusalem: and mine heart hath seene much wisedome and knowledge.
17
And I gaue mine heart to knowe wisdome and knowledge, madnes and foolishnes: I knew also that this is a vexation of the spirit.
18
For in the multitude of wisedome is much griefe: and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorowe.
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