1So I turned again, and I looked at all the oppression that is done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them. Power was on the side of those who oppressed them, but they had no one to comfort them.
2So I said that the dead, who are already dead, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
3Yes, better than both of them is the one who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4Again, I looked at all the hard work, and every good piece of work, and saw that a man is envied by his neighbour for it. This also is meaningless, like chasing the wind.
5The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
6Better a handful with quietness than both hands full with hard work and chasing the wind.
7Then I turned again, and I saw something meaningless under the sun.
8There is a man all alone, and there is no second with him. Yes, he has neither child nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his work, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches. He never asks, "Who am I working for? Why do I keep good things from myself?" This also is meaningless; yes, it is a painful task.
9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their work.
10For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion. But it will be bad for the man who is alone when he falls, for he has no one else to help him up.
11Again, if two lie down together, they keep warm. But how can one be warm alone?
12And if one man overpowers him, two can stand against him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
13Better a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king who will no longer listen to warning.
14For out of prison he comes to reign, while the one born in his kingdom becomes poor.
15I looked at all the living who walk under the sun, together with the second child who would stand up in his place.
16There is no end to all the people, all those who were before them. Yet those who come after will not be glad about him. Surely this also is meaningless, like chasing the wind.