1于是，我又观察日光之下的一切欺压之事。我看见受欺压的泪流满面，无人安慰。因为欺压者有权有势，所以无人安慰他们。 2我为那已死的人庆幸，因为他们比活着的人幸福。 3不过，比以上两种人更幸运的是那从未出生的人，他们从未见过日光之下各样的恶行。 4我又看见人的一切劳碌和成就原是出于争强好胜。这也是虚空，如同捕风。 5愚人游手好闲，最后只能饿死。 6拥有不多，心里安宁，胜过拥有很多，仍劳碌捕风。 7我又看见日光之下一件虚空的事： 8有一个人孤孤单单，没有儿子也没有兄弟，却终身劳碌。他虽然家道丰裕，仍不满足，从未想过“我不停地劳碌，放弃一切享受，究竟是为了谁？”这也是虚空，是一种悲哀。 9两个人总比一个人好，因为二人劳碌同得美好的成果。 10一人跌倒，总有同伴相扶。但孤身一人、跌倒了无人相扶的真悲惨！ 11还有，二人同睡会暖和，一人独睡怎能暖和呢？ 12遭遇攻击，一人独自不能抵挡，二人并肩就能对付。三股拧成的绳子不容易断。 13贫穷但有智慧的青年，胜过年老、愚昧、不再纳谏的君王。 14虽然这青年在本国出身贫寒，却能从囚犯成为君王。 15我看见所有日光之下的人都起来拥护这位代替老君王的青年。 16拥护他的人不计其数，以后的世代却对他不满。这也是虚空，如同捕风。
1So 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.4.1 side: Heb. hand 2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. 3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
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.4.4 every…: Heb. all the rightness of work4.4 for this…: Heb. this is the envy of a man from his neighbour 5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8There 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.
9¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For 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. 11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13¶ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.4.13 who…: Heb. who knoweth not to be admonished 14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 16There 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.
