1 So I returned,7725 and considered7200 all3605 the oppressions6217 that are done6213 under8478 the sun:8121 and behold2009 the tears1832 of such as were oppressed,6231 and they had no369 comforter;5162 and on the side3027 of their oppressors6231 there was power;3581 but they had no369 comforter.

2 Why I praised7623 the dead4191 which are already3528 dead4191 more4481 than4480 the living2416 which834 are yet5728 alive.2416

3 Yes, better2896 is he than both8147 they, which834 has not yet5728 been,1961 who834 has not seen7200 the evil7451 work4639 that is done6213 under8478 the sun.8121

4 Again, I considered7200 all3605 travail,5999 and every3605 right3788 work,4639 that for this1931 a man376 is envied7068 of his neighbor.7453 This2088 is also1571 vanity1892 and vexation7469 of spirit.7307

5 The fool3684 folds2263 his hands3027 together, and eats398 his own flesh.1320

6 Better2896 is an handful4393 3709 with quietness,5183 than both the hands2651 full4393 with travail5999 and vexation7469 of spirit.7307

7 Then I returned,7725 and I saw7200 vanity1892 under8478 the sun.8121

8 There is one259 alone, and there is not a second;8145 yes,1571 he has neither1571 369 child1121 nor brother:251 yet is there no369 end7093 of all3605 his labor;5999 neither3808 is his eye5869 satisfied7646 with riches;6239 neither said he, For whom4310 do I labor,6001 and bereave2637 my soul5315 of good?2896 This2088 is also1571 vanity,1892 yes, it is a sore7451 travail.6045

9 Two8147 are better2896 than one;259 because834 they have3426 a good2896 reward7939 for their labor.5999

10 For if518 they fall,5307 the one259 will lift6965 up his fellow:2270 but woe337 to him that is alone259 when he falls;5307 for he has not another8145 to help6965 him up.

11 Again,1571 if518 two8147 lie7901 together, then they have heat:2552 but how349 can one259 be warm3179 alone?

12 And if518 one259 prevail8630 against him, two8147 shall withstand5975 him; and a threefold8027 cord2339 is not quickly4120 broken.5423

13 Better2896 is a poor4542 and a wise2450 child3206 than an old2205 and foolish3684 king,4428 who834 will3045 no3808 more5750 be admonished.2094

14 For out of prison1004 612 he comes3318 to reign;4427 whereas3588 also1571 he that is born3205 in his kingdom4438 becomes poor.7326

15 I considered7200 all3605 the living2416 which walk1980 under8478 the sun,8121 with the second8145 child3206 that shall stand5975 up in his stead.8478

16 There is no369 end7093 of all3605 the people,5971 even of all3605 that have been1961 before6440 them: they also1571 that come314 after314 shall not rejoice8055 in him. Surely3588 this2088 also1571 is vanity1892 and vexation7475 of spirit.7307