4 So
I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the
sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter;
and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. 2 Wherefore
I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are
yet alive. 3 Yea,
better is he than both they, which 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, that for this a man is
envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 5 The
fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6 Better
is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and
vexation of spirit. 7 Then
I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child
nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied
with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, 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 labour. 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 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 threefold cord
is not quickly broken. 13 Better
is a poor and a 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 which walk under the sun, with the second child that 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 that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity
and vexation of spirit.