When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now.

Man

Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.

What exists is beyond reach and very deep. Who can discover it?

The eye

There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “So who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself from good?” This too is futile and a miserable task.

The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.

You satisfy me as with rich food;

my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.

Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
and people’s eyes are never satisfied.

The leech has two daughters: “Give, Give!”
Three things are never satisfied;
four never say, “Enough!”:

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed,

for they will be filled.

They will no longer hunger;
they will no longer thirst;
the sun will no longer strike them,
nor will any heat.

General references

For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for man?