Ecclesiastes

1我又转念，见日光之下所行的一切欺压。看哪，受欺压的流泪，且无人安慰；欺压他们的有势力，也无人安慰他们。

2因此，我赞叹那早已死的死人，胜过那还活着的活人。

3并且我以为那未曾生的，就是未见过日光之下恶事的，比这两等人更强。

4我又见人为一切的劳碌和各样灵巧的工作就被邻舍嫉妒。这也是虚空，也是捕风。

5愚昧人抱着手，吃自己的肉。

6满了一把，得享安静，强如满了两把，劳碌捕风。

7我又转念，见日光之下有一件虚空的事：

8有人孤单无二，无子无兄，竟劳碌不息，眼目也不以钱财为足。他说：「我劳劳碌碌，刻苦自己，不享福乐，到底是为谁呢？」这也是虚空，是极重的劳苦。

9两个人总比一个人好，因为二人劳碌同得美好的果效。

10若是跌倒，这人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，没有别人扶起他来，这人就有祸了。

11再者，二人同睡就都暖和，一人独睡怎能暖和呢？

12有人攻胜孤身一人，若有二人便能敌挡他；三股合成的绳子不容易折断。

13贫穷而有智慧的少年人胜过年老不肯纳谏的愚昧王。

14这人是从监牢中出来作王，在他国中，生来原是贫穷的。

15我见日光之下一切行动的活人都随从那第二位，就是起来代替老王的少年人。

16他所治理的众人就是他的百姓，多得无数；在他后来的人尚且不喜悦他。这真是虚空，也是捕风。

17Esta traducción no incluye este pasaje.

1I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.

2And I praised the dead rather than the living:

3And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.

4Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.

5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:

6Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.

7Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

8There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.

9It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:

10If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.

11And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?

12And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.

13Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.

14Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.

15I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.

16The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

17Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.