1
So I returned[H7725], and considered[H7200] all the oppressions[H6217] that are done[H6213] under the sun[H8121]: and behold the tears[H1832] of such as were oppressed[H6231], and they had no comforter[H5162]; and on the side[H3027] of their oppressors[H6231] there was power[H3581]; but they had no comforter[H5162].
2
Wherefore I praised[H7623] the dead[H4191] which are already[H3528]dead[H4191] more than the living[H2416] which are yet[H5728]alive[H2416].
3
Yea, better[H2896] is he than both[H8147] they, which hath not yet[H5728] been, who hath not seen[H7200] the evil[H7451]work[H4639] that is done[H6213] under the sun[H8121].
4
Again, I considered[H7200] all travail[H5999], and every right[H3788]work[H4639], that for this a man[H376] is envied[H7068] of his neighbour[H7453]. This is also vanity[H1892] and vexation[H7469] of spirit[H7307].
5
The fool[H3684]foldeth[H2263] his hands[H3027]together[H2263], and eateth[H398] his own flesh[H1320].
6Better[H2896] is an handful[H3709] with quietness[H5183], than both the hands[H2651]full[H4393] with travail[H5999] and vexation[H7469] of spirit[H7307].
7
Then I returned[H7725], and I saw[H7200]vanity[H1892] under the sun[H8121].
8
There is[H3426]one[H259] alone, and there is[H3426] not a second[H8145]; yea, he hath neither child[H1121] nor brother[H251]: yet is[H3426] there no end[H7093] of all his labour[H5999]; neither is[H3426] his eye[H5869]satisfied[H7646] with riches[H6239]; neither saith he, For whom do I labour[H6001], and bereave[H2637] my soul[H5315] of good?[H2896] This is[H3426] also vanity[H1892], yea, it is[H3426] a sore[H7451]travail[H6045].
9Two[H8147] are better[H2896] than one[H259]; because they have[H3426] a good[H2896]reward[H7939] for their labour[H5999].
10
For if they fall[H5307], the one[H259] will lift up[H6965] his fellow[H2270]: but woe[H337] to him that is alone[H259] when he falleth[H5307]; for he hath not another[H8145] to help him up[H6965].
11Again[H1571], if two[H8147] lie together[H7901], then they have heat[H2552]: but how can one[H259] be warm[H3179] alone?
12
And if one[H259]prevail[H8630] against him, two[H8147] shall withstand[H5975] him; and a threefold[H8027]cord[H2339] is not quickly[H4120]broken[H5423].
13Better[H2896] is a poor[H4542] and a wise[H2450]child[H3206] than an old[H2205] and foolish[H3684]king[H4428], who will[H3045] no more be admonished[H2094].
14
For out of prison[H631] he cometh[H3318] to reign[H4427]; whereas also he that is born[H3205] in his kingdom[H4438] becometh poor[H7326].
15
I considered[H7200] all the living[H2416] which walk[H1980] under the sun[H8121], with the second[H8145]child[H3206] that shall stand up[H5975] in his stead.
16
There is no end[H7093] of all the people[H5971], even of all that have been before[H6440] them: they also that come after[H314] shall not rejoice[H8055] in him. Surely this also is vanity[H1892] and vexation[H7475] of spirit[H7307].