NIV 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. NIV 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. NIV 2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. NIV 2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. NIV 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. NIV 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. NIV 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. NIV 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. NIV 5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. NIV 5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. NIV 6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. NIV 6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. NIV 7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: NIV 7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: NIV 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! NIV 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! NIV 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: NIV 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: NIV 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. NIV 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. NIV 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? NIV 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? NIV 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. NIV 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. NIV 13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. NIV 13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. NIV 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. NIV 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. NIV 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. NIV 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. NIV 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. NIV 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.
NIV 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. NIV 2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. NIV 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. NIV 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. NIV 5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. NIV 6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. NIV 7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: NIV 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! NIV 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: NIV 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. NIV 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? NIV 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. NIV 13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. NIV 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. NIV 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. NIV 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.