4 So I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: And behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.

² Therefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;

³ yea, better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Again, I considered all travail and every right work for which a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of the spirit.

⁷ Again I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

⁸ There is one who is alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother, yet there is no end to all his labor. Neither is his eye satisfied with riches; nor saith he, “For whom do I labor and bereave my soul of good?” This is also vanity; yea, it is a sore travail.

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

¹⁰ For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him up.

¹¹ Again, if two lie down together, then they have heat, but how can one be warm alone?

¹² And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threestrand cord is not quickly broken.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise child, than an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

¹⁵ I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child who shall stand up in his stead.

¹⁶ There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them; they also who came after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.