Translations
Modern
Is there a case where one can say, “Look, this is new”? It has already existed in the ages before us.
Traditional
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
Literal
Is there anything of which one may say, “See this? It is new!” Already it has been in the ages that were from before our faces.
Latin
Nihil sub sole novum, nec valet quisquam dicere: Ecce hoc recens est: jam enim præcessit in sæculis quæ fuerunt ante nos.
Original
Hebrew
English
Is there a case where one can say, “Look, this is new”? It has already existed in the ages before us.
Notes
The Teacher starts by noting that every natural and historical activity has a repetitive cycle of coming and going, existing and not existing. This can cause some to feel that everything is meaningless. The Teacher quickly shifts from one topic to another and ends this section with the topic he began with, using a literary style that reflects the cycles he describes in nature and human history.