₂It is useless, useless, said the Philosopher. Life is useless, all useless.

₁₂I, the Philosopher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. ₁₃I determined that I would examine and study all the things that are done in this world.

God has laid a miserable fate upon us. ₁₄I have seen everything done in this world, and I tell you, it is all useless. It is like chasing the wind.

₁₈Nothing that I had worked for and earned meant a thing to me, because I knew that I would have to leave it to my successor, ₁₉and he might be wise, or he might be foolish — who knows? Yet he will own everything I have worked for, everything my wisdom has earned for me in this world. It is all useless. ₂₀So I came to regret that I had worked so hard. ₂₁You work for something with all your wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and then you have to leave it all to someone who hasn't had to work for it. It is useless, and it isn't right! ₂₂You work and worry your way through life, and what do you have to show for it? ₂₃As long as you live, everything you do brings nothing but worry and heartache. Even at night your mind can't rest. It is all useless.