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¹ Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, look, 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 Therefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;³ yes, better than them both [did I esteem] him that has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all labor and every skillful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.⁵ The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.⁸ There is one that is alone, and he has not a second; yes, he has neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [he says], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yes, it is an intense 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 falls, and does not have another to lift him up.¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]?¹² And if a man prevails against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who doesn't know how to receive admonition anymore.¹⁴ For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.¹⁵ I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all those over whom he was: yet those that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.