| New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
| 1Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless. | 1Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless. |
| 2So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living. | 2So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living. |
| 3But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun. | 3But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun. |
| 4Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. | 4Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. |
| 5“Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.” | 5“Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.” |
| 6And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.” The Advantages of Companionship | 6And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.” The Advantages of Companionship |
| 7I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. | 7I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. |
| 8This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. | 8This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. |
| 9Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. | 9Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. |
| 10If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. | 10If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. |
| 11Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? | 11Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? |
| 12A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. The Futility of Political Power | 12A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. The Futility of Political Power |
| 13It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. | 13It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. |
| 14Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. | 14Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. |
| 15But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. | 15But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. |
| 16Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. | 16Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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