Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, Vanity of vanities: the whole is vanity.

Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

{I said to myself}, "Look! I have become great and have increased [in] wisdom more than anyone who {has preceded} me over Jerusalem. {I have acquired a great deal of wisdom and knowledge}."

I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

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

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

If a man doth beget a hundred, and live many years, and is great, because they are the days of his years, and his soul is not satisfied from the goodness, and also he hath not had a grave, I have said, 'Better than he is the untimely birth.'

Also, do not take seriously everything that is said, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you,

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

See, this I have found, said the Preacher, one to one, to find out the reason

I said , The bidding of the king, observe thou, even out of regard to the oath of God.

There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

And also, when he that is a fool Is walking in the way, his heart is lacking, And he hath said to every one, 'He is a fool.'

If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power.

Vanity of vanities, said the preacher, the whole is vanity.

This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man.