For what else hath a man, of all the labor that he taketh under the Sun?

All floods run into the sea, and yet the sea is not filled: for look, unto what place the waters run, thence they come again.

for thereunto I applied my mind: that I might know what were wisdom and understanding, what were error and foolishness. And I perceived that this also was but a vexation of mind:

insomuch that I said unto laughter, "Thou art mad," and to mirth, "What doest thou?"

So I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, to apply my mind unto wisdom, and to comprehend foolishness until the time that among all the things which are under the Sun, I might see what were best for men to do, so long as they live under heaven.

Then turned I me to consider wisdom, error and foolishness: for what is he among men, that might be compared to me the king in such work?

Then thought I in my mind, "If it happeneth unto the fool as it doth unto me, what needeth me then to labour any more for wisdom?" So I confessed within my heart, that this also was but vanity.

For what getteth a man of all the labor and travail of his mind, that he taketh under the Sun,

He giveth unto man, what it pleaseth him; whether it be wisdom, understanding, or gladness. But unto the sinner he giveth weariness and sorrow, that he may gather and heap together the thing, that afterward shall be given unto him whom it pleaseth God. This is now a vain thing, yea a very disquietness and vexation of mind.

What else hath a man that doth anything, but weariness and labour?

As for the people that have been before him, and that come after him, they are innumerable: yet is not their joy the greater through him. This is also a vain thing and a vexation of mind. (v17) When thou comest into the house of God, keep thy foot and draw nigh, that thou mayest hear: that is better than the offerings of fools, for they know not what evil they do

Whereas many riches are, there are many also that spend them away. And what pleasure more hath he that possesseth them, saving that he may look upon them with his eyes?

This is a miserable plague, that he shall go away even as he came. What helpeth him then, that he hath labored in the wind?

For what hath the wise more than the fool? What helpeth it the poor, that he knoweth to walk before the living?

Many things there be that increase vanity, and what hath a man else?

For who knoweth what is good for man living, in the days of his vain life, which is but a shadow? Or, who will tell a man what shall happen after him under the Sun?

Say not thou, "What is the cause that the days of the old time were better than they that be now?" For that were no wise question.

Like as when a king giveth a charge, his commandment is mighty: Even so whom may say unto him, "What doest thou?"

And why? A man knoweth not what is for to come: for who will tell him?

A fool is so full of words, that a man cannot tell what end he shall make. Who will then warn him of it that shall follow after him?

Give part sven days, and also upon the eighth, for thou knowest not what misery shall come upon earth.

When the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth. And when the tree falleth, whether it be toward the South or North, in what place soever it fall, there it lieth.