- 1
- But 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.
- 2
- Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;
- 3
- but better than they both is he that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
- 4
- Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man"s rivalry with his neighbour.
This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
- 5
- The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
- 6
- Better is a handful of quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.
- 7
- Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
- 8
- There 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 labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: "for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?" This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business.
- 9
- Two are better than one;
because they have a good reward for their labour.
- 10
- For 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.
- 11
- Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth;
but how can one be warm alone?
- 12
- And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him;
and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
- 13
- Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
- 14
- For out of prison he came forth to be king;
although in his kingdom he was born poor.
- 15
- I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead.
- 16
- There was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead;
yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him.
Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
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