Ecclesiastes 1:1

Everything Is Meaningless

1 The words of the Teacher,[a] son of David, king in Jerusalem:

Ecclesiastes 1:1 in Other Translations

KJV
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
ESV
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
NLT
1 These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.
MSG
1 These are the words of the Quester, David's son and king in Jerusalem:
CSB
1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 In-Context

1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
3 What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?
4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.

Cross References 2

  • 1. ver 12; Ecclesiastes 7:27; Ecclesiastes 12:10
  • 2. S Proverbs 1:1

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "the leader of the assembly" ; also in verses 2 and 12
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