| King James Bible | International Standard Version |
| 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. | 1Next I turned to consider all kinds of oppression that exists on earth. Look at the tears of the oppressed— there is no one to comfort them. Power is on the side of their oppressors; so they have no comforters. |
| 2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. | 2So I commended the dead who had already died as being happier than the living who are still alive. |
| 3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. | 3Better than both of them is someone who has not yet been born, because he hasn't experienced evil on earth. |
| 4Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. | 4Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind. |
| 5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. | 5The fool crosses his arms and starves himself. |
| 6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. | 6It's better to have one handful of tranquility than to have two handfuls of trouble and to chase after the wind. |
| 7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. | 7Then I turned to re-examine something else that is pointless on earth: |
| 8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. | 8Consider someone who is alone, having neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his work, and he is never satisfied with wealth. "So for whom do I work," he asks, "and deprive myself of pleasure?" This, too, is pointless and a terrible tragedy. |
| 9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. | 9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. |
| 10For 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 up. | 10If they stumble, the first will lift up his friend—but woe to anyone who is alone when he falls and there is no one to help him get up. |
| 11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? | 11Again, if two lie close together, they will keep warm, but how can only one stay warm? |
| 12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. | 12If someone attacks one of them, the two of them together will resist. Furthermore, the tri-braided cord is not soon broken. |
| 13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. | 13A poor but wise youth is better than an old but foolish king who will no longer accept correction. |
| 14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. | 14The former can come out of prison to reign, while the latter, even if born to kingship, may become poor. |
| 15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. | 15I observed everyone who lives and walks on earth, along with the youth who will take the king's place. |
| 16There 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. | 16There was no end to all of his subjects or to all of the people who had come before them. But those who come along afterward will not be happy with him. This is also pointless and a chasing after wind. |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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