King James Version KJV
New International Version NIV
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.
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.
2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
2
And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
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.
3
But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil 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
And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
5
Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.
6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
6
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
7
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
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.
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!
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
9
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.