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

I said to myself, "Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge."

I made myself pools of water, to water from it the forest where trees were reared.

I bought male servants and female 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. My wisdom also remained with me.

Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this.

So I saw the wicked buried. Indeed they came also from holy place. They went and were praised in the city where they did this. This also is vanity.