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[1]So I turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought under the sun, and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and none comforteth them: and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppress them, and none comforteth them.
[2]Wherefore I praised the dead which now are dead, above the living, which are yet alive.
[3]And I count him better than them both, which hath not yet been: for he hath not seen the evil works which are wrought under the sun.
[4]Also I beheld all travail, and all perfection of works that this is the envy of a man against his neighbor: this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
[5]The fool foldeth his hands, and eateth up his own flesh.
[6]Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and vexation of spirit.
[7]Again I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
[8]There is one alone, and there is not a second, which hath neither son nor brother, yet is there none end of all his travail, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doth he think, For whom do I travail and defraud my soul of pleasure? This also is vanity, and this is an evil travail.
[9]Two are better than one: for they have better wages for their labor.
[10]For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe unto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him up.
[11]Also if two sleep together, then shall they have heat: but to one how should there be heat?
[12]And if one overcome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefold cord is not easily broken.
[13]Better is a poor and wise child, than an old and foolish king, which will no more be admonished.
[14]For out of the prison he cometh forth to reign: when as he that is born in his kingdom, is made poor.
[15]I beheld all the living, which walk under the sun, with the second child, which shall stand up in his place.
[16]There is none end of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not rejoice in him: surely this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
[17]Take heed to thy foot when thou enterest into the house of God, and be more near to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil.
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