Spake, I, in my heart, saying, As for me, lo! I have become great, and have gathered wisdom, beyond any one who hath been before me over Jerusalem, - and, my heart, hath seen much wisdom and knowledge:

So I became great, and increased, more than any one who had been before me in Jerusalem, - moreover, my wisdom, remained with me;

For here is a man, whose toil hath been with wisdom and with knowledge and with skill, - yet, to a man who hath not toiled therein, shall he leave it as his portion, even this, was vanity and a great vexation.

And, though an enemy should prevail against one, two, might make a stand before him, - and, a threefold cord, cannot soon be broken.

For, to every pursuit, there is a time and a manner, - when, the vexation of man, is great concerning it.

Even this, had I seen of wisdom, under the sun, - and, of great import, was the same unto me: -

A little city, and men therein few, - and there came against it a great king, and surrounded it, and built against it large siege-works;

Folly placed in great dignity, - while, the rich, in a low place, took their seat:

Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, - or the bucket by the fountain be shivered, or the wheel at the well be broken;