| New International Version | New International Version |
| 1Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-- and they have no comforter. | 1Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-- and they have no comforter. |
| 2And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. | 2And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. |
| 3But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. | 3But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. |
| 4And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person's envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. | 4And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person's envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. |
| 5Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. | 5Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. |
| 6Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. | 6Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. |
| 7Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: | 7Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: |
| 8There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless-- a miserable business! | 8There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless-- a miserable business! |
| 9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: | 9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: |
| 10If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. | 10If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. |
| 11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? | 11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? |
| 12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. | 12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. |
| 13Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. | 13Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. |
| 14The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. | 14The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. |
| 15I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor. | 15I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor. |
| 16There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. | 16There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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