The Evil of Oppression

1And I turned, and I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and no one is comforting to them—while from the hand of those oppressing them is strength, and no one is comforting to them. 2I—and I praised those who were dead, who already had died, above the living who are still alive; 3and better than both is the one who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun!

4I—and I have seen all the toil and every skillful deed, that it was the envy of each man from his neighbor. This also is vapor and a striving after the wind.

5The fool is folding his hands

and is eating his own flesh.

6Better the fullness of palm with quietness

than the fullness of two palms with toil and a striving after the wind.

7And I turned, and I saw a vapor under the sun: 8There is one, and there is not a second—there is not even a son or brother for him—and there is not end to all his toils; and his eye is not satisfied with wealth: “For whom am I toiling and depriving my soul of good?” This also is vapor, and it is a task of evil.

9Two are better than the one, because there is for them a good wage for their toil; 10for if they fall, the one raises up his companion—and woe to him, the one who falls, and there is not a second to raise him up! 11Also, if two lie down, then there is warmth for them; but for one, how can he keep warm? 12And though one may be overpowered, the two can stand against him; and a threefold cord cannot quickly be broken.

The Futility of Power

13Better a youth poor and wise than a king old and foolish, who does not know to be warned anymore. 14For from the house of bondage he came to be king, for even in his kingdom he was born poor.

15I saw all the living who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who stands in his place. 16There is no end to all the people, to all who were before their faces, yet those coming after will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vapor and a striving after the wind.