All is to no purpose, said the Preacher, all the ways of man are to no purpose.

Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us.

I said to my heart, See, I have become great and am increased in wisdom more than any who were before me in Jerusalem--yes, my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity.

I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.

I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

I said in my heart, It is because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.

If a man doth beget a hundred, and live many years, and is great, because they are the days of his years, and his soul is not satisfied from the goodness, and also he hath not had a grave, I have said, 'Better than he is the untimely birth.'

Also, do not take seriously everything that is said, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you,

All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

Look! this I have seen, said the Preacher, taking one thing after another to get the true account,

I said , The bidding of the king, observe thou, even out of regard to the oath of God.

There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

And also, when he that is a fool Is walking in the way, his heart is lacking, And he hath said to every one, 'He is a fool.'

If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power.

Vanity of vanities, said the preacher, the whole is vanity.

This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man.