CLV(i)
1 And again I saw all the extortions that are done under the sun; Behold, the tears of those being extorted, And there is no comforter for them; Vigor is in the hand of their extortioners, And there is no comforter for them."
2 So I lauded the dead, those who had already died, Over the living, those who are still alive;"
3 Yet better than them both are those who still have not come into being, Who have not seen the evil work that is done under the sun."
4 And I saw all the toil and all the success of the work done, That it was jealousy of one man over his associate; This too is vanity and a grazing on wind."
5 The stupid man folds his hands And eats his own flesh;
6 Yet better is one palm full from rest Than both hands full from toil and a grazing on wind.
7 And again I saw a vanity under the sun:
8 There was one person, but there was no second; There even was no son or brother for him; Also there was no end to all his toil, Yet his eyes were not satisfied with his riches. Then he said, For whom am I toiling And making my soul lack good? This too is vanity, and it is an experience of evil."
9 Two are better than one Because there is better hire for them in their toil;
10 For if they fall, one can raise up his partner; But woe to him, the one who falls when there is no second person to raise him up."
11 Also, if two lie down together it is warm for them, Yet for one, how can he keep warm?
12 And if somebody can overpower him who is single, Then two can stand firm in front of him who attacks. A threefold thread cannot quickly be pulled apart."
13 Better a boy, provident and wise, Than a king, old and stupid, who does not know how to take warning any more."
14 For from a house of prisoners one came forth to reign, For even in his kingdom he was born destitute;"
15 Yet I saw all the living who were going about under the sun Staying with the second boy who stood up in his stead.
16 There was no end to all the people, to all before whom he was head, Yet those coming later were not rejoicing in him; Indeed this too is vanity and a grazing on wind."