1 S o I returned, and considered 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 which are already dead more than the living which 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 is he than both they, which 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 A gain, 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.

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 an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

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 I saw vanity under the sun.

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

8 T here is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child 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, 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 labour.

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; for he hath not another to help 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 heat: 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 one prevail against him, 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 a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

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 cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

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

15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand 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 is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

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.