All things[a] are wearisome,
more than anyone can say.
The eye is not satisfied by seeing(A)
or the ear filled with hearing.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1:8 Or words

All things are wearisome,
    more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing,(A)
    nor the ear its fill of hearing.

Read full chapter

There is a person without a companion,[a] without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches.(A) “Who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself of good things?” This too is futile and a miserable task.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 4:8 Lit person, but there is not a second,

There was a man all alone;
    he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
    yet his eyes were not content(A) with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
    “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
    a miserable business!

Read full chapter