[1] Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and power was on the side of their oppressors, but they had no one to comfort them. [2] So I congratulated the dead who are already dead, more than the living who are still living. [3] But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun. [4] I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and striving after wind. [5] The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. [6] One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. [7] Then I looked again at futility under the sun. [8] There was a man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches, and he never asked, “And for whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is futility, and it is an unhappy task. [9] Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor; [10] for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up! [11] Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? [12] And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. [13] A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction— [14] for he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. [15] I have seen all those living under the sun move to the side of the second youth who replaces him. [16] There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them. Even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him; for this too is futility and striving after wind.
