Kaznodziei 1

1These are the words of the Teacher, the descendant of David and king in Jerusalem. 2The Teacher says this. 3What profit does mankind gain from all the work that they labor at under the sun? 4One generation goes, 5The sun rises, 6The wind blows south 7All the rivers flow into the sea, 8Everything becomes wearisome, 9Whatever has been is what will be, 10Is there anything about which it may be said, 11No one seems to remember the things that happened in ancient times, 12I am the Teacher, and I have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13I applied my mind to study and to search out by wisdom everything that is done under heaven. That search is a burdensome task that God has given to the children of mankind to be busy with. 14I have seen all the deeds that are done under the sun, and look, they all amount to vapor and chasing the wind. 15The twisted cannot be straightened! 16I have spoken to my heart saying, “Look, I have acquired greater wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My mind has seen great wisdom and knowledge.” 17So I applied my heart to know wisdom and also madness and folly. I came to understand that this also was an attempt to shepherd the wind.