⁸ Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; All is vanity!

² "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

⁹ Surely men of low degree are just a breath, And men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.

¹⁴ I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

¹⁷ So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

⁴ Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

¹² For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

⁸ There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.