The Evils of Oppression

1Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and power was on the side of their oppressors, but they had no one to comfort them. 2So I congratulated the dead who are already dead, more than the living who are still living. 3But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

4I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and striving after wind. 5The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. 6One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

7Then I looked again at futility under the sun. 8There was a man without a [a]dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches, and he never asked, “And for whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is futility, and it is an unhappy task.

9Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor; 10for if [b]either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not [c]another to lift him up! 11Furthermore, if two lie down together they [d]keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12And if [e]one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

13A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive [f]instruction— 14for he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. 15I have seen all those living under the sun move to the side of the second youth who [g]replaces him. 16There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them. Even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him; for this too is futility and striving after wind.