New Living Translation | New International Version |
1Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless. | 1Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-- and they have no comforter. |
2So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living. | 2And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. |
3But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun. | 3But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. |
4Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. | 4And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person's envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. |
5“Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.” | 5Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. |
6And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.” The Advantages of Companionship | 6Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. |
7I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. | 7Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: |
8This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. | 8There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless-- a miserable business! |
9Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. | 9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: |
10If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. | 10If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. |
11Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? | 11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? |
12A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. The Futility of Political Power | 12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. |
13It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. | 13Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. |
14Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. | 14The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. |
15But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. | 15I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor. |
16Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. | 16There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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