1 ¶ Then I went back, and pondered all the oppression that is taking place under the sun: and considered the tears of those who are oppressed, with no one to comfort them; power is on the side of their oppressors; but they have no comforter.

2 Therefore I thought the dead who are already dead are more fortunate than the living who are still alive.

3 But one who has not yet been born, and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun, is better off than both of them.

4 ¶ Then, I saw that all painful effort in labor, and all skill in work, comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

5 The fool folds his hands together, and feeds on his own flesh.

6 A handful of rest is better than two handfuls of labor and chasing after the wind.

7 ¶ Then I went back, and looked at another kind of vanity under the sun.

8 Here is one alone, having no one else with him; he has no child or brother: and still there is no end to all the work he does; his eye is not satisfied with riches; nor does he ask, Who am I working for, and why am I denying myself good things? This is also a futile and miserable burden.

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their efforts.

10 For if they fall, one will lift the other up: but woe to him who is alone when he falls; for he has no one else to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie down together, they are warm: but how can one keep warm by himself?

12 And if someone overpowers one who is alone, two can withstand him; and a threefold cord is not easily broken.

13 ¶ A poor and a wise child is better than an old and foolish king, who will no longer listen to advice.

14 Even though he was born poor and came out of prison to reign in his kingdom.

15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, side with the youth who was to rule in the king’s stead.

16 There was no end to all the people, he was over all of them: yet those who came later were not happy with him. Surely this also is vanity and striving after the wind.