1
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
2
Wherefore I praised the dead which are alreadydead more than the living which are yetalive.
3
Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evilwork that is done under the sun.
4
Again, I considered all travail, and every rightwork, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5
The foolfoldeth his handstogether, and eateth his own flesh.
6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the handsfull with travail and vexation of spirit.
7
Then I returned, and I sawvanity under the sun.
8
There isone alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eyesatisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a soretravail.
9Two are better than one; because they have a goodreward for their labour.
10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12
And if oneprevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefoldcord is not quicklybroken.
13Better is a poor and a wisechild than an old and foolishking, who will no more be admonished.
14
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the secondchild that shall stand up in his stead.
16
There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.