In Context

9 What is that which hath been? it is that which is, and what is that which hath been done? it is that which is done, and there is not an entirely new thing under the sun.

10 There is a thing of which one saith: 'See this, it is new!' already it hath been in the ages that were before us!

11 There is not a remembrance of former generations; and also of the latter that are, there is no remembrance of them with those that are at the last.

12 I, a preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

13 And I have given my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that hath been done under the heavens. It is a sad travail God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.

14 I have seen all the works that have been done under the sun, and lo, the whole is vanity and vexation of spirit!

Ecclesiastes 1:12 in Other Translations