The Evils of Oppression

4 Then I looked again and considered all the acts of oppression that were being practiced under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. ² So I congratulated and thought more fortunate are those who are already dead than the living who are still living. ³ But better off than either of them is the one who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

⁴ I have seen that every [effort in] labor and every skill in work comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This too is vanity (futility, false pride) and chasing after the wind. ⁵ The fool folds his hands [together] and consumes his own flesh [destroying himself by idleness and apathy]. ⁶ One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind.

⁷ Then I looked again at vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms]. ⁸ There was a certain man—without a dependent, having neither a child nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity (a wisp of smoke, self-conceit); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy task.^(A)

⁹ Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; ¹⁰ for if ^[a]either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. ¹¹ Again, if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? ¹² And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

¹³ A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who ^[b]no longer knows how to receive instruction and counsel (friendly reproof, warning)— ¹⁴ for the poor youth has [used his wisdom and] come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. ¹⁵ I have seen all the living under the sun join with the second youth (the king’s acknowledged successor) who replaces him. ¹⁶ There is no end to all the people; to all who were before them. Yet those who come later will not be happy with him. Surely this also is vanity (emptiness) and chasing after the wind.