Read the Bible

The Evils of Oppression

¹ Then I looked again and considered all the acts of ^(C1)oppression that were being practiced under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and they had ^(C2)no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.² So ^(C1)I congratulated and thought more fortunate are those who are already dead than the living who are still living.³ But ^(C1)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 ^(C1)skill in work comes from man's rivalry with his neighbor. This too is ^(C2)vanity (futility, false pride) and chasing after the wind.⁵ The fool ^(C1)folds his hands together and ^(C2)consumes his own flesh destroying himself by idleness and apathy.⁶ One hand full of rest and patience is ^(C1)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, ^(C1)his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, "^(C2)For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?" This too is vanity (a wisp of smoke, self-conceit); yes, it is a ^(C3)painful effort and an unhappy task. ^(VR1)

⁹ Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor;¹⁰ for if ^(F1)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 ^(C1)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 ^(C1)poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who ^(F1)no longer knows how to receive instruction and counsel (friendly reproof, warning)—¹⁴ for the poor youth has used his wisdom and come ^(C1)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 ^(C1)vanity (emptiness) and chasing after the wind.