1 T hen I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who 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 T herefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who 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 es, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has 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 the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s 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 folds his hands together and ruins himself.

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 chasing 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 who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.

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 who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have 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 keep warm alone?

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

12 I f a man prevails against one who 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 doesn’t know 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 out to be king; yes, 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 who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

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 those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing 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.