1So 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. 2Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive. 3Yea, better [is he] than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4Again, I considered all labour, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit. 5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit. 7Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne. 8There is one alone, & there is not a second, which hath neither sonne nor brother, yet is there none end of all his trauaile, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doeth he thinke, For whome doe I trauaile and defraude my soule of pleasure? this also is vanitie, and this is an euill trauaile. 9Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For if they fal, the one wil lift vp his felow: but wo vnto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him vp. 11Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate? 12And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 13Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished. 14For out of prison he cometh to reign; though also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15I 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.