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 oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter— On the side of their oppressors there is power, But they have 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 were already dead, More 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.

Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. The Vanity of Selfish Toil

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 saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

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

The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.

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

Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

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.

There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, “For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity and a grave misfortune. The Value of a Friend

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, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one 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 lie down together, they will keep warm; 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.

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Popularity Passes Away

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 a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.

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

For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in 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 walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place.

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 of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.