I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

I was great and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom remained with me.

And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I did not withhold my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor, and this was my part of all my labor.

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

Is it not good that he should eat and drink and make his soul see good in his labor? This I also saw, that it was from the hand of God.

And again I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold the tears of the oppressed ones, and they had no comforter! And on the side of those who oppressed them there was power, but they had no comforter.

For out of prison he comes to reign; although in his kingdom he was born poor.

Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; do not say before the angel that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

Do not say, Why was it that the former days were better than these? For you do not ask wisely in regard to this.

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

There was a little city, and few men in it; and a great king came against it and besieged it, and built huge bulwarks against it.

And a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that poor man.

then the dust shall return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.

And more than that, the preacher was wise; he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he listened, and looked, and set in order many proverbs.