- 1
- So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done vnder the sunne;
& behold the teares of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter: and on the side of their oppressours there was power, but they had no comforter.
- 2
- Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead, more then the liuing which are yet aliue.
- 3
- Yea better is he then both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seene the euill worke that is done vnder the Sunne.
- 4
- Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
- 5
- The foole foldeth his hands together, and eateth his owne flesh.
- 6
- Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then both the hands full with trauell and vexation of spirit.
- 7
- Then I returned, and I saw vanitie vnder the Sunne.
- 8
- There is one alone, and there is not a second;
yea, he hath neither childe nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither sayth hee, For whom doe I labour, and bereaue my soule of good? this is also vanitie, yea it is a sore trauell.
- 9
- Two are better then one;
because they haue a good reward for their labour.
- 10
- For if they fall, the one will lift vp his fellow;
but woe to him that is alone, when he falleth: for he hath not another to helpe him vp.
- 11
- Againe, if two lye together, then they haue heate;
but howe can one be warme alone?
- 12
- And if one preuaile against him, two shall withstand him;
and a threefold coard is not quickly broken.
- 13
- Better is a poore and a wise child, then an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished.
- 14
- For out of prison hee commeth to raigne, whereas also he that is borne in his kingdome, becommeth poore.
- 15
- I considered all the liuing which walke vnder the sunne, with the second child that shall stand vp in his stead.
- 16
- There is no end of all the people, euen of all that haue beene before them: they also that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this also is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
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