Then I returned{H7725} and saw{H7200} all the oppressions{H6217} that are done{H6213} under the sun:{H8121} and, behold, the tears{H1832} of such as were oppressed,{H6231} and they had no comforter;{H5162} and on the side{H3027} of their oppressors{H6231} there was power;{H3581} but they had no comforter.{H5162}

Wherefore I praised{H7623} the dead{H4191} that have been{H3528} long dead{H4191} more than the living{H2416} that are yet{H5728} alive;{H2416}

yea, better{H2896} than them both{H8147} [did I esteem] him that hath not yet{H5728} been, who hath not seen{H7200} the evil{H7451} work{H4639} that is done{H6213} under the sun.{H8121}

Then I saw{H7200} all labor{H5999} and every skilful{H3788} work,{H4639} that for this a man{H376} is envied{H7068} of his neighbor.{H7453} This also is vanity{H1892} and a striving{H7469} after wind.{H7307}

The fool{H3684} foldeth{H2263} his hands{H3027} together,{H2263} and eateth{H398} his own flesh.{H1320}

Better{H2896} is a handful,{H3709} with quietness,{H5183} than two{H2651} handfuls{H4393} with labor{H5999} and striving{H7469} after wind.{H7307}

Then I returned{H7725} and saw{H7200} vanity{H1892} under the sun.{H8121}

There is{H3426} one{H259} that is alone, and he hath not a second;{H8145} yea, he hath neither son{H1121} nor brother;{H251} yet is there no end{H7093} of all his labor,{H5999} neither are his eyes{H5869} satisfied{H7646} with riches.{H6239} For whom then, [saith he], do I labor,{H6001} and deprive{H2637} my soul{H5315} of good?{H2896} This also is vanity,{H1892} yea, it is a sore{H7451} travail.{H6045}

Two{H8147} are better{H2896} than one,{H259} because they have{H3426} a good{H2896} reward{H7939} for their labor.{H5999}

For if they fall,{H5307} the one{H259} will lift up{H6965} his fellow;{H2270} but woe{H337} to him that is alone{H259} when he falleth,{H5307} and hath not another{H8145} to lift him up.{H6965}

Again,{H1571} if two{H8147} lie together,{H7901} then they have warmth;{H2552} but how can one{H259} be warm{H3179} [alone]?

And if a man{H259} prevail{H8630} against him that is alone, two{H8147} shall withstand{H5975} him; and a threefold{H8027} cord{H2339} is not quickly{H4120} broken.{H5423}

Better{H2896} is a poor{H4542} and wise{H2450} youth{H3206} than an old{H2205} and foolish{H3684} king,{H4428} who knoweth{H3045} not how to receive admonition{H2094} any more.

For out of prison{H631} he came{H3318} forth to be king;{H4427} yea, even in his kingdom{H4438} he was born{H3205} poor.{H7326}

I saw{H7200} all the living{H2416} that walk{H1980} under the sun,{H8121} that they were with the youth,{H3206} the second,{H8145} that stood up{H5975} in his stead.

There was no end{H7093} of all the people,{H5971} even of all them over whom he was:{H6440} yet they that come after{H314} shall not rejoice{H8055} in him. Surely this also is vanity{H1892} and a striving{H7475} after wind.{H7307}