1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold the tears of the oppressed ones, and they had no comforter! And on the side of those who oppressed them there [was] power, but they had no comforter.

2 And I commended the dead who already have died, more than the living who [are] living now.

3 Yea, better than both [is he] who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 Again, I considered all labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

6 Better [is] a hand filled with rest than two fists [with] travail and vexation of spirit.

7 And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

8 There is one [alone], and [there is] not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother; yet there is no end to all his labor; and his eyes are not satisfied with riches; and [he says, For whom do I labor and take good from my soul? This [is] also vanity. Yes, it [is] an evil business.

9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good 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, for he does not have another to help him.

11 Again, if two lie [together], then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone] ?

12 And if one overthrows him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 A poor and a wise child [is] better than an old and foolish king, who will not be warned any more.

14 For out of prison he comes to reign; although in his kingdom he was born poor.

15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child who shall stand up in his place.

16 [There is] no end of all the people, of all who have been before them; they also who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.