[1] Then I returned and considered all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun: And I beheld the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they [too] had no comforter. [2] So I praised and thought more fortunate those who have been long dead than the living, who are still alive. [3] But better than them both [I thought] is he who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. [4] Then I saw that all painful effort in labor and all skill in work comes from man's rivalry with his neighbor. This is also vanity, a vain striving after the wind and a feeding on it. [5] The fool folds his hands together and eats his own flesh [destroying himself by indolence]. [6] Better is a handful with quietness than both hands full with painful effort, a vain striving after the wind and a feeding on it. [7] Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms]. [8] Here is one alone-no one with him; he neither has child nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labor, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither does he ask, For whom do I labor and deprive myself of good? This is also vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy business. [9] Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; [10] For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! [11] Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? [12] And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. 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 counsel (friendly reproof and warning)- [14] Even though [the youth] comes out of prison to reign, while the other, born a king, becomes needy. [15] I saw all the living who walk under the sun with the youth who was to stand up in the king's stead. [16] There was no end to all the people; he was over all of them. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, vainglory) and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it.
