King James Bible

The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

6

The wind blows to the south
and goes around to the north;
around and around goes the wind,
and on its circuits the wind returns.

7

All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

7

All streams run to the sea,
but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow,
there they flow again.

8

All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

8

All things are full of weariness;
a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.

9

The 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.

9

What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.

10

Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

10

Is there a thing of which it is said,
“See, this is new”?
It has been already
in the ages before us.

11

There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

11

There is no remembrance of former things,d
nor will there be any remembrance
of later thingse yet to be
among those who come after.

12

With Wisdom Comes Sorrow

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

12

The Vanity of Wisdom

I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

13

And 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.

13

And I applied my heartf to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.

14

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

14

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanityg and a striving after wind.h

15

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

15

What is crooked cannot be made straight,
and what is lacking cannot be counted.

16

I 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.

16

I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”

17

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

17

And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

18

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

18

For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Parallel

King James Bible

English Standard Version

Ecclesiastes 1

Ecclesiastes 1