1 T hen I returned and saw 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.

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 had no comforter.

2 W herefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

So I praised and thought more fortunate those who have been long dead than the living, who are still alive.

3 y ea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

But better than them both is he who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

4 T hen I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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 T he fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

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

6 B etter is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

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 T hen I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

8 T here is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, saith he, do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

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 T wo are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor;

10 F or if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.

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 A gain, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?

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

12 A nd if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 B etter is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

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 F or out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

Even though comes out of prison to reign, while the other, born a king, becomes needy.

15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

I saw all the living who walk under the sun with the youth who was to stand up in the king’s stead.

16 T here was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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.