1: So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are
done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and
they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was
power; but they had no comforter. |
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2: Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than
the living which are yet alive. |
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3:
Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who
hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. |
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4: Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that
for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and
vexation of spirit. |
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5: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
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6: Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full
with travail and vexation of spirit. |
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7: Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. |
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8: There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath
neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour;
neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do
I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a
sore travail. |
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9: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for
their labour. |
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10: For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to
him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him
up. |
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11: Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can
one be warm alone? |
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12: And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and
a threefold cord is not quickly broken. |
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13: Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish
king, who will no more be admonished. |
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14: For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is
born in his kingdom becometh poor. |
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15: I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with
the second child that shall stand up in his stead. |
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16: There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been
before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely
this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. |