Ecclesiastes 1
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1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose.5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit.6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again.7All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
8All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.8All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us.10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
12I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.12I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13And 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.13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.15That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16I 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.”16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.18For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Proverbs 31
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