1SO I turned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun; and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter to deliver them from the hand of their oppressors, having neither strength nor helper. 2Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still alive. 3But, better is he who has not yet been born than both of them, because he has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4Then I saw that all the labor and all the work is successful because a man is more zealous than his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 5The fool folds his hands together and suffers hunger. 6Better is a handful with quietness than both hands full with toil and vexation of spirit.

7Then I turned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8When there is but one man, and not a second, and he has neither son nor brother, there is no end to all his labor. Neither are his eyes satisfied with riches; neither does he say, For whom am I laboring and denying myself good things? This is also vanity, and a grievous vexation.

9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor; 10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls; for there is none to lift him up. 11Again, if two sleep together, they will be warm; but how can one be warm alone? 12And if one is too strong for him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13Better is a youth who is poor and wise than a king who is old and foolish, and does not know how to receive admonition. 14Out of prison he has come to reign, because also in his own kingdom he had been born miserable. 15I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the young men, who shall rise up in their place. 16There is no end of all the people, even of all who have been before them; and those also who come after shall not rejoice in them. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.