Preceding Generations Forgotten
(Job 11:1-20)
1The wordsof the Preacher,the sonof David,kingin Jerusalem.
2Vanityof vanities,saiththe Preacher,vanityof vanities;all [is] vanity.
3What profithath a manof all his labourwhich he takethunder the sun?
4[One] generationpasseth away,and [another] generationcometh{08676;0935:08804}: but the earthabidethfor ever.
5The sunalso ariseth,and the sungoeth down,and hastethto his placewhere he arose.
6The windgoethtoward the south,and turneth aboutunto the north;it whirleth about continually,and the windreturneth againaccording to his circuits.
7All the riversruninto the sea;yet the sea[is] not full;unto the placefrom whence the riverscome,thither they returnagain.
8All things[are] full of labour;mancannotutter[it]: the eyeis not satisfiedwith seeing,nor the earfilledwith hearing.
9The 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.
10Is there[any] thingwhereof it may be said,See,this [is] new?it hath been alreadyof old time,which was beforeus.
11[There is] no remembranceof former[things]; neither shall there be [any] remembranceof [things] that are to comewith [those] that shall come after.
With Wisdom Comes Sorrow
12I the Preacherwas kingover Israelin Jerusalem.13And I gavemy heartto seekand search outby wisdomconcerning all [things] that are doneunder heaven:this soretravailhath Godgivento the sonsof manto be exercisedtherewith.14I have seenall the worksthat are doneunder the sun;and, behold, all [is] vanityand vexationof spirit.15[That which is] crookedcannotbe made straight:and that which is wantingcannotbe numbered.
16I communedwith mine own heart,saying,Lo, I am come to great estate,and have gottenmore wisdomthan all [they] that have been beforeme in Jerusalem:yea, my hearthad greatexperienceof wisdomand knowledge.17And I gavemy heartto knowwisdom,and to knowmadnessand folly:I perceivedthat thisalso is vexationof spirit.18For in muchwisdom[is] muchgrief:and he that increasethknowledgeincreasethsorrow.
