Thomson(i)
1 Then I turned and took a view of all the different sorts of oppression under the sun; and behold the tear of the oppressed and they have no comforter. Though from the hand of oppressors some have relief; yet others have no comforter.
2 Therefore I praised the whole body of the dead; those who were already dead, above the living; those who are still alive:
3 but better than both is he who hath never been; who hath not seen all the evil work which is done under the sun.
4 In the review of labour in general, I took a view in particular of manly exertion in executing. Because this causeth a man to be envied by his neighbour, this therefore is vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 The fool folded his hands and devouring his flesh said,
6 "Better is one handful of rest than two handfuls of labour and vexation of spirit."
7 Then I turned and took a view of a vanity under the sun;
8 Here is a single individual who hath no second; at least he hath neither son nor brother, yet there is no end to all his labour. His eye is not satisfied with riches, yet doth he say, For whom do I labour and deprive my soul of good? Surely this is vanity and a sore vexation.
9 two are better than one. They have a better reward for their labour.
10 For if they chance to fall the one can raise up his fellow. But alas for him who is alone, when he falleth and hath not another to raise him up.
11 Again if two lie together they have warmth: but how can one be warm who is alone?
12 Again though one should be strong the two may withstand him, and a three fold cord cannot easily be broken.
13 Better is a poor and wise subject than an old and foolish king who hath not yet learned how to conduct himself;
14 for out of prison he may come to reign. Because even in his own kingdom he was needy,
15 I took a view of the whole body of the living who were walking under the sun with the youth second in rank who is to succeed him.
16 There is no end of all the people; of all who resorted to them. Yet they who come last will have no joy in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.