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¹ 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 who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.³ Yes, better is [he] than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Again, I considered all labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.⁶ Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] toil 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; yes, he hath neither child nor brother: yet [is there] no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yes, it [is] a grievous labor.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 falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him to rise.¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?¹² And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold 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 who 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.