Is there a thing, of which it can be said, See here, it is, new? Already, hath it been, for ages, it is something which was before us.

And I gave my heart to seek and to search out, wisely, concerning all things which are done under the heavens, - the same, is the vexatious employment God hath given to the sons of men, to work toilsomely therein,

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:

I sought out with my heart, to cherish with wine, my flesh, - but, my heart, was to guide with wisdom, even in laying hold of folly, until I should see which was blessedness for the sons of men, as to that which they could do, under the heavens, during the number of the days of their life.

There was nothing more blessed for Man than that he should eat and drink, and see his desireth for blessedness in his toil, - even this, saw, I myself, that, from the hand of God, it was.

A time to seek, and a time to give up as lost, - A time to keep, and a time to cast away;

Though indeed, that any man should eat and drink, and see blessedness, in all his toil, it is, the gift of God.

Said, I, in my heart, as concerning the sons of men, That God was minded to prove them, - and that they might see, that they were beasts, of themselves.

and, as better than both, him who had not yet come into being, - who had not seen the vexatious work, which was done under the sun.

If, the oppression of the poor, and the wresting of justice and righteousness, thou see in the province, do not be astonished over the matter, - for, one high above the highest, is watching, yea, the Most High, is over them.

Here was an incurable evil, I had seen under the sun, riches kept by the owner thereof, to his hurt;

Lo! what, I myself, have seen - Better that it should be excellent to eat and to drink and to see blessedness, in all one's toil wherein one toileth under the sun, for the number of the days of his life, in that God hath given it him, for, that, is his portion:

Here was an evil, I had seen under the sun, - and it is, common, among men:

Even though one hath lived a thousand years twice told, yet, good, hath he not seen, - is it not, unto one place, that, all, are going?

Good is wisdom, with an inheritance, - and a profit, to such as see the sun.

Everything, had I seen, in my days of vanity, - Here was a righteous man, perishing in his righteousness, and there was a lawless man, continuing long in his wickedness.

Resolved, I, in my heart, to know and search out, and to seek wisdom, and a conclusion, - and to know lawlessness to be stupidity, and folly to be madness.

See! this, have I found, saith the Proclaimer counting one by one, to find a conclusion;

Only, see, this, have I found, That God made man upright, but, they, have sought out many devices.

All this, had I seen, and tried to apply my heart to every work which was done under the sun, - at such time as one man had power over another man, to his hurt.

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

Here was a misfortune I had seen under the sun, - a veritable mistake that was going forth from the presence of one who had power:

I had seen, servants, upon horses, - and, rulers, walking like servants, on the ground.

In the morning, sow thy seed, and, until evening, do not withhold thy hand, - for thou knowest not - whether shall thrive, either this or that, or whether, both alike, shall be fruitful.

Truly sweet is the light, - and, pleasant to the eyes, to see the sun:

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart gladden thee in the days of thine early manhood, and walk thou - in the ways of thine own heart, and in that which is seen by thine own eyes, - yet know, that, for all these things, will God bring thee into judgment.