American Standard Version (ASV) With Strong Codes

1. Then I returned[H7725] and saw[H7200] all the oppressions[H6217] that are done[H6213] under the sun[H8121]: and[H1832], behold, the tears of such as were oppressed[H6231], and they had no comforter[H5162]; and on the side[H3027] of their oppressors[H6231] there was power[H3581]; but they had no comforter[H5162].

2. Wherefore I praised[H7623] the dead[H4191] that have been[H3528] long dead[H4191] more than the living[H2416] that are yet[H5728] alive[H2416];

3. yea[H2896], better than them both[H8147] did I esteem him that hath not yet[H5728] been[H7200], who hath not seen the evil[H7451] work[H4639] that is done[H6213] under the sun[H8121].

4. Then I saw[H7200] all labor[H5999] and every skilful[H3788] work[H4639], that for this a man[H376] is envied[H7068] of his neighbor[H7453]. This also is vanity[H1892] and a striving[H7469] after wind[H7307].

5. The fool[H3684] foldeth[H2263] his hands[H3027] together[H2263], and eateth[H398] his own flesh[H1320].

6. Better[H2896] is a handful[H3709], with quietness[H5183], than two[H2651] handfuls[H4393] with labor[H5999] and striving[H7469] after wind[H7307].

7. Then I returned[H7725] and saw[H7200] vanity[H1892] under the sun[H8121].

8. There is[H3426] one[H259] that is alone[H8145], and he hath not a second; yea[H1121], he hath neither son nor brother[H251]; yet is there no end[H7093] of all his labor[H5999], neither are his eyes[H5869] satisfied[H7646] with riches[H6239]. For whom then[H6001], saith he, do I labor, and deprive[H2637] my soul[H5315] of good[H2896]? This also is vanity[H1892], yea[H7451], it is a sore travail[H6045].

9. Two[H8147] are better[H2896] than one[H259], because they have[H3426] a good[H2896] reward[H7939] for their labor[H5999].

10. For if they fall[H5307], the one[H259] will lift up[H6965] his fellow[H2270]; but woe[H337] to him that is alone[H259] when he falleth[H5307], and hath not another[H8145] to lift him up[H6965].

11. Again[H1571], if two[H8147] lie together[H7901], then they have warmth[H2552]; but how can one[H259] be warm alone[H3179]?

12. And if a man[H259] prevail[H8630] against him that is alone[H8147], two shall withstand[H5975] him[H8027]; and a threefold cord[H2339] is not quickly[H4120] broken[H5423].

13. Better[H2896] is a poor[H4542] and wise[H2450] youth[H3206] than an old[H2205] and foolish[H3684] king[H4428], who knoweth[H3045] not how to receive admonition any more[H2094].

14. For out of prison[H631] he came[H3318] forth to be king[H4427]; yea[H4438], even in his kingdom he was born[H3205] poor[H7326].

15. I saw[H7200] all the living[H2416] that walk[H1980] under the sun[H8121], that they were with the youth[H3206], the second[H8145], that stood up in his stead[H5975].

16. There was no end[H7093] of all the people[H5971], even of all them over whom he was[H6440]: yet they that come after[H314] shall not rejoice[H8055] in him[H1892]. Surely this also is vanity and a striving[H7475] after wind[H7307].