¶ So I returned¹, and considered² all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears³ of such as were oppressed, and they had⁴ no comforter; and on the side⁵ of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

⁶Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

Yea, better⁷ is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who⁸ hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every⁹ right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is¹⁰ also vanity and vexation of spirit.

The fool¹¹ foldeth his hands together, and eateth¹² his own flesh.

¹³Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

¶¹⁴Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

There is one¹⁵ alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath¹⁶ neither child nor brother: yet is there no¹⁷ end of all his labour; neither is his¹⁸ eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For¹⁹ whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is²⁰ a sore travail.

Two are²¹ better than one; because they have a good²² reward for their labour.

¶ For if²³ they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but²⁴ woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

²⁵Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

And if²⁶ one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a²⁷ threefold cord is not quickly broken.

¶ Better is a poor²⁸ and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be²⁹ admonished.

For out³⁰ of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also³¹ he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child³² that shall stand up in his stead.

There is no end³³ of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also³⁴ that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this³⁵ also is vanity and vexation of spirit.