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
.
Wherefore I praised the dead
which are already
dead
more than the living
which are yet
alive
.
Yea, better is he than both
they, which hath not yet
been, who hath not seen
the evil
work
that is done
under the sun
.
Again, I considered all travail
, and every right
work
, that for this a man
is envied
of his neighbour
. This is also vanity
and vexation
of spirit
.
The fool foldeth
his hands
together
, and eateth
his own flesh
.
Better is an handful
with quietness
, than both the hands
full
with travail
and vexation
of spirit
.
Then I returned, and I saw
vanity
under the sun
.
There is one
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 eye
satisfied
with riches
; neither saith he , For whom do I labour
, and bereave
my soul
of good
? This is also vanity
, yea, it is a sore
travail
.
Two are better
than one
; because they have
a good
reward
for their labour
.
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
.
Again, if two
lie together
, then they have heat
: but how can one
be warm
alone ?
And if one prevail
against him, two
shall withstand
him; and a threefold
cord
is not quickly
broken
.
Better is a poor
and a wise
child
than an old
and foolish
king
, who will
no more be admonished
.
For out of prison he cometh
to reign
; whereas also he that is born
in his kingdom
becometh poor
.
I considered all the living
which walk
under the sun
, with the second
child
that shall stand up
in his stead.
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
.