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.

¶ So I returned and considered all the violence that is done under the sun and behold the tears of such as are oppressed, and they have no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but the oppressed had no comforter.

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

Therefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet 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.

And I thought that better is he than both of them who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil works 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.

¶ Again, I considered all travail and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

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 rest than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

7 T hen I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¶ Then I returned, and I saw another 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.

It is the man who is alone, without a successor, who has neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity and sore travail.

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 better reward for their labour.

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 that is alone when he falls, for he has not another to help him up.

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

Again, if two sleep together, then they have heat, 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 if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him; and 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 a wise child than an old and foolish king who will no longer be admonished.

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

For he came out of prison to reign, even though he was born poor into his kingdom.

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 are under the sun walking with the child, the successor that shall stand up in his 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 is no end of all the people that have been before them; those also that come after shall not be content in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.