1 Iturned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions, that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocents, and no comforter: & that they cannot resist their violence, being destitute of all men's help.
1 I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
2 And I praised rather the dead, than the living:
2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:
3 and happier than both have I judged him that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
3 And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
4 Again I have contemplated all the labours of men, and their industries I have perceived to lie open to the envy of their neighbour: and in this therefore there is vanity, and superfluous care.
4 Again I considered all the labors of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighbor: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
5 Afool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
6 Better is an handful with rest, than both hands full with labour and affliction of mind.
6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labor, and vexation of mind.
7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
8 There is one, and he hath not a second, not a son, not a brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he recount, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? In this also is vanity, and very ill affliction.
8 There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labor, and defraud my soul of good things? In this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
9 It is better therefore that two be together, than one: for they have profit of their society:
9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
10 if one fall, he shall be stayed up of the other. Woe to him that is alone: because when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
10 If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
11 And if two sleep together, they shall warm each other: one how shall he be warmed?
11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12 And if a man prevail against one, two resist him: a triple cord is hardly broken.
12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
13 Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king old and foolish, that knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
13 Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14 Because out of the prison and chains sometime there cometh one forth to a Kingdom: and another born in his Kingdom, is consumed with poverty.
14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
15 Isaw all men alive, that walk under the sun, with the second youngman, which shall rise up for him.
15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
16 The number of the people, of all that have been before him is infinite: and they that shall be afterward, shall not rejoice in him. But this also is vanity, and affliction of spirit.
16 The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
17 Take heed to keep thy foot, when thou enterest into the house of God, and approach thou to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.
17 Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. ¹For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.