That which has been is that which will be,
And that which has been done is that which will be done.
So there is nothing new under the sun.

I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.

So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what will the man do who will come after the king except what has already been done?

Then I said to myself, “As is the fate of the fool, it will also befall me. Why then have I been extremely wise?” So I said to myself, “This too is vanity.”

So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.

That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.

Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is.

What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it?

All this I have seen and applied my mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt.

When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night),

and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, “I know,” he cannot discover.

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.