Dual Panel1Then I looked<7200> again<7725> at all<3605> the acts<6217> of oppression<6217> which<834> were being done<6213> under<8478> the sun<8121>. And behold<2009> I saw the tears<1832> of the oppressed<6231> and that they had<369> no<369> one<369> to comfort<5162> them; and on the side<3027> of their oppressors<6231> was power<3581>, but they had<369> no<369> one<369> to comfort<5162> them.
2So I congratulated<7623> the dead<4191> who<7945> are already<3528> dead<4191> more<4480> than<4480> the living<2416> who<834> are still<5728> living<2416>.
3But better<2896> off than<4480> both<8147> of them is the one who<834> has never<3808> existed<1961>, who<834> has never<3808> seen<7200> the evil<7451> activity<4639> that is done<6213> under<8478> the sun<8121>.
4I have seen<7200> that every<3605> labor<5999> and every<3605> skill<3788> which is done<4639> is the result of rivalry<7068> between a man<376> and his neighbor<7453>. This<2088> too<1571> is vanity<1892> and striving<7469> after wind<7307>.
5The fool<3684> folds<2263> his hands<3027> and consumes<398> his own flesh<1320>.
6One hand<3709> full<4393> of rest<5183> is better<2896> than<4480> two fists<2651> full<4393> of labor<5999> and striving<7469> after wind<7307>.
7Then I looked<7200> again<7725> at vanity<1892> under<8478> the sun<8121>.
8There<3426> was a certain<259> man<259> without<369> a dependent<8145>, having<369> neither<1571><369> a son<1121> nor<369> a brother<251>, yet there<369> was no<369> end<7093> to all<3605> his labor<5999>. Indeed<1571>, his eyes<5869> were not satisfied<7646> with riches<6239> and he never asked, "And for whom<4310> am I laboring<6001> and depriving<2637> myself<5315> of pleasure<2899>?" This<2088> too<1571> is vanity<1892> and it is a grievous<7451> task<6045>.
9Two<8147> are better<2896> than<4480> one<259> because<834> they have<3426> a good<2896> return<7725> for their labor<5999>.
10For if<518> either of them falls<5307>, the one<259> will lift<6965> up his companion<2270>. But woe<337> to the one<259> who<7945> falls<5307> when there<369> is not another<8145> to lift<6965> him up.
11Furthermore<1571>, if<518> two<8147> lie<7901> down<7901> together they keep<2552> warm<2552>, but how<349> can one<259> be warm<2552> alone?
12And if<518> one<259> can overpower<8630> him who<259> is alone, two<8147> can resist<5975><5048> him. A cord<2339> of three<8027> strands is not quickly<4120> torn<5423> apart<5423>.
13A poor<4542> yet wise<2450> lad<3206> is better<2896> than<4480> an old<2205> and foolish<3684> king<4428> who<834> no<3808> longer<5750> knows<3045> how to receive<2094> instruction<2094>.
14For he has come<3318> out of prison<1004><631> to become<4427> king<4427>, even<1571> though<3588> he was born<3205> poor<7326> in his kingdom<4438>.
15I have seen<7200> all<3605> the living<2416> under<8478> the sun<8121> throng<1980> to the side<5973> of the second<8145> lad<3206> who<834> replaces<5975><8478> him.
16There<369> is no<369> end<7093> to all<3605> the people<5971>, to all<3605> who<834> were before<6440> them, and even<1571> the ones<314> who<314> will come<314> later<314> will not be happy<8055> with him, for this<2088> too<1571> is vanity<1892> and striving<7475> after wind<7307>.