First reading
Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
Sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill
must leave all to be enjoyed by another
who did not toil for it.
This also is vanity and a great evil.
What does a person get from all their toil and strain,
their toil under the sun?
For their days are full of pain,
and their work is a vexation;
even at night their mind does not rest.
This also is vanity.