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

I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten for me great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yea, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

I made for me pools of water, to water from there the forest where trees were reared.

I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.

So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches [were] kept by the owner of it to his hurt.

Say thou not, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? For thou do not inquire wisely concerning this.

So I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were praised in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity.

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds from the ruler: