Ecclesiastes

So I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter! And at the hand of those who oppressed them [was] power; but there was no comforter to them.

And I commended the dead who already have died, more than the living who [are] alive until now.

Yea, better than both [is he] who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

And I considered every labor, and every advantage of the work, that it is the envy of a man against his neighbor; this [is] also vanity and striving [after] wind.

The fool folds his hands together and eats his own flesh.

Better [is] a palm filled [with] rest, than two fists [with] labor and striving [after] wind.

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

There is one [alone], and [there is] not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother; and there is no end to all his labor; even his eyes are not satisfied with riches; and [he says], For whom do I labor, and take good from my soul? This [is] also vanity. Yes, it [is] an evil task.

Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.

For if they fall, this one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him, the one that falls, and there is not another to lift him up.

Also if two lie [together], then they have warmth; but for one, how is he warm?

And if one overthrows him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly torn apart.

A poor and a wise child [is] better than the old and stupid king who does not know to be warned any more.

For from the house of the imprisoned he goes forth to reign, although in his kingdom he was born poor.

I saw all the living who walk about under the sun, with the second child who shall stand up in his place.

[There is] no end to all the people, to all who have been before them; they also who come after shall not rejoice with him. Surely this [is] also vanity and striving [after] wind.