1 So I returned|strong="H7725", and considered|strong="H7200" all the oppressions|strong="H6217" that are done|strong="H6213" under the sun|strong="H8121": and behold the tears|strong="H1832" of such as were oppressed|strong="H6231", and they had no comforter|strong="H5162"; and on the side|strong="H3027" of their oppressors|strong="H6231" there was power|strong="H3581"; but they had no comforter|strong="H5162".
2 Wherefore I praised|strong="H7623" the dead|strong="H4191" which are already|strong="H3528" dead|strong="H4191" more than the living|strong="H2416" which are yet|strong="H5728" alive|strong="H2416".
3 Yea, better|strong="H2896" is he than both|strong="H8147" they, which hath not yet|strong="H5728" been, who hath not seen|strong="H7200" the evil|strong="H7451" work|strong="H4639" that is done|strong="H6213" under the sun|strong="H8121".
4 Again, I considered|strong="H7200" all travail|strong="H5999", and every right|strong="H3788" work|strong="H4639", that for this a man|strong="H0376" is envied|strong="H7068" of his neighbour|strong="H7453". This is also vanity|strong="H1892" and vexation|strong="H7469" of spirit|strong="H7307".
5 The fool|strong="H3684" foldeth|strong="H2263" his hands|strong="H3027" together|strong="H2263", and eateth|strong="H0398" his own flesh|strong="H1320".
6 Better|strong="H2896" is an handful|strong="H3709" with quietness|strong="H5183", than both the hands|strong="H2651" full|strong="H4393" with travail|strong="H5999" and vexation|strong="H7469" of spirit|strong="H7307".
7 Then I returned|strong="H7725", and I saw|strong="H7200" vanity|strong="H1892" under the sun|strong="H8121".
8 There is|strong="H3426" one|strong="H0259" alone, and there is not a second|strong="H8145"; yea, he hath neither child|strong="H1121" nor brother|strong="H0251": yet is there no end|strong="H7093" of all his labour|strong="H5999"; neither is his eye|strong="H5869" satisfied|strong="H7646" with riches|strong="H6239"; neither saith he, For whom do I labour|strong="H6001", and bereave|strong="H2637" my soul|strong="H5315" of good|strong="H2896"? This is also vanity|strong="H1892", yea, it is a sore|strong="H7451" travail|strong="H6045".
9 Two|strong="H8147" are better|strong="H2896" than one|strong="H0259"; because they have|strong="H3426" a good|strong="H2896" reward|strong="H7939" for their labour|strong="H5999".
10 For if they fall|strong="H5307", the one|strong="H0259" will lift up|strong="H6965" his fellow|strong="H2270": but woe|strong="H0337" to him that is alone|strong="H0259" when he falleth|strong="H5307"; for he hath not another|strong="H8145" to help him up|strong="H6965".
11 Again|strong="H1571", if two|strong="H8147" lie together|strong="H7901", then they have heat|strong="H2552": but how can one|strong="H0259" be warm|strong="H3179" alone?
12 And if one|strong="H0259" prevail|strong="H8630" against him, two|strong="H8147" shall withstand|strong="H5975" him; and a threefold|strong="H8027" cord|strong="H2339" is not quickly|strong="H4120" broken|strong="H5423".
13 Better|strong="H2896" is a poor|strong="H4542" and a wise|strong="H2450" child|strong="H3206" than an old|strong="H2205" and foolish|strong="H3684" king|strong="H4428", who will|strong="H3045" no more be admonished|strong="H2094".
14 For out of prison|strong="H0631" he cometh|strong="H3318" to reign|strong="H4427"; whereas also he that is born|strong="H3205" in his kingdom|strong="H4438" becometh poor|strong="H7326".
15 I considered|strong="H7200" all the living|strong="H2416" which walk|strong="H1980" under the sun|strong="H8121", with the second|strong="H8145" child|strong="H3206" that shall stand up|strong="H5975" in his stead.
16 There is no end|strong="H7093" of all the people|strong="H5971", even of all that have been before|strong="H6440" them: they also that come after|strong="H0314" shall not rejoice|strong="H8055" in him. Surely this also is vanity|strong="H1892" and vexation|strong="H7475" of spirit|strong="H7307".