The Evils of Oppression
1 Then I returned and saw all the oppression that is taking place under the sun and the tears of those who were oppressed. They have no one to comfort them, and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter. 2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are still alive. 3 Yes, better than them both is the one who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4 Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is worthless striving after wind.
5 The fool folds his hands together
and ruins himself.
6 Better is a handful with quietness,
than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
7 Then I returned and saw futility under the sun.
8 There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then, do I labor and deprive myself of enjoyment?” This also is futility. Yes, it is a miserable business.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if one falls, the other will lift him up, but woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one can be overpowered, two can withstand him. A three stranded cord is not easily broken.
The Futility of Power
13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive admonition. 14 For from prison he came to be king, though in his own kingdom he was born poor. 15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him. 16 There was no end to all of his followers—yet those who come later will not be pleased with him. Surely this also is worthless chasing after wind.