4 So aI returned, and considered all the boppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had cno comforter; and on the †side of their oppressors there was power; but they had cno comforter. 2 Wherefore dI praised the dead which are ealready dead more than the living which are fyet alive. 3 Yea, better is he than both they, dgwhich hath not fyet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 Again, I considered all travail, and †every right work, that †for this a man iis envied of his neighbour. This is also jvanity and vexation of spirit. 5 The fool kfoldeth his hands together, and leateth his own flesh. 6 mBetter is an handful with nquietness, than both the hands full with travail and jvexation of spirit.

7 Then oI returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8 There 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 peye satisfied with riches; neither qsaith he, rFor whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore stravail. 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but twoe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but uhow can one be warm alone? 12 And if one xprevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a ythreefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 zBetter is a apoor and a wise child than an old and bfoolish king, †who will no more be cadmonished. 14 dFor out of eprison he cometh to reign; fwhereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, gwith the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: hthey also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is ivanity and vexation of spirit.