11 No one remembers the former events,nor will anyone remember the events that are yet to happen;they will not be remembered by the future generations.
12 I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth.I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task that keeps them occupied.
14 I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth,and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile – like chasing the wind!
15 What is bent cannot be straightened,and what is missing cannot be supplied.
16 I thought to myself,“I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”
17 So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas;however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!