| The Webster Bible (WBT) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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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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1 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-- and they have no comforter.
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2 Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
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2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
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3 Yes, better is [he] than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
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3 But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
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4 Again, I considered all labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.
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4 And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
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5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
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5 The fool folds his hands and ruins himself.
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6 Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] toil and vexation of spirit.
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6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
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7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
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7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
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8 There is one [alone], and [there is] not a second; yes, he hath neither child nor brother: yet [is there] no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yes, it [is] a grievous labor.
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8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless-- a miserable business!
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9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
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9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
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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 to rise.
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10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one 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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11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
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12 And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.
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12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands 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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13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning.
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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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14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom.
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15 I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
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15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor.
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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.
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16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
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| The Webster Bible is in the public domain. (The Webster Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
