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Ecclesiastes 1

Highlighted words differ from the WEB. Most differences are matters of wording, style or the age of the English, not of meaning; a few reflect different manuscripts.

  1. 1
    WEBThe words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
    KJVThe words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
  2. 2
    WEB“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
    KJVVanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
  3. 3
    WEBWhat does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?
    KJVWhat profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
  4. 4
    WEBOne generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
    KJVOne generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
  5. 5
    WEBThe sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.
    KJVThe sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
  6. 6
    WEBThe wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.
    KJVThe wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
  7. 7
    WEBAll the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.
    KJVAll the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
  8. 8
    WEBAll things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
    KJVAll things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
  9. 9
    WEBThat which has been is that which shall be, and that which has been done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun.
    KJVThe thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
  10. 10
    WEBIs 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.
    KJVIs there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
  11. 11
    WEBThere is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after.
    KJVThere is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
  12. 12
    WEBI, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
    KJVI the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
  13. 13
    WEBI applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
    KJVAnd I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
  14. 14
    WEBI have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
    KJVI have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
  15. 15
    WEBThat which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.
    KJVThat which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
  16. 16
    WEBI 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.”
    KJVI communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
  17. 17
    WEBI applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
    KJVAnd I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
  18. 18
    WEBFor in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
    KJVFor in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
  • World English Bible (WEB), public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.
  • King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom, where Crown letters patent apply.