1
Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And see— the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter. And from the hand of their oppressors was power, but they had no comforter.
2
And I praised the dead, who had already died, more than the living who are still alive.
3
But better than both is the one who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4
And I saw all labor and all skill in work, that this is the jealousy of an ish toward his neighbor. This also is vapor and pursuit of wind.
5
The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.
6
Better is one handful with rest than two handfuls with labor and pursuit of wind.
7
Then I returned and saw vapor under the sun.
8
There is one alone, and no second with him. He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labor, and his eye is not satisfied with wealth. “For whom am I laboring and depriving my being of good?” This also is vapor and an evil task.
9
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
10
For if they fall, one shall raise his companion. But woe to the one who falls and has no second to raise him.
11
Also, if two lie down together, they become warm. But how can one alone be warm?
12
And if one overpowers him, two shall stand against him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive warning.
14
For from the house of prisoners he came forth to reign, though even in his kingdom he had been born poor.
15
I saw all the living who walk under the sun with the second youth who shall stand in his place.
16
There was no end to all the people, to all those before whom he stood. Yet those who come afterward shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vapor and pursuit of wind.