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1 | So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are
done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were
oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their
oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. |
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2 | Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than
the living which are yet alive. |
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3 | Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who
hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. |
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4 | Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that
for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity
and vexation of spirit. |
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5 | The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. |
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6 | Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full
with travail and vexation of spirit. |
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7 | Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. |
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8 | There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath
neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his
labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither
saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good?
This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. |
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9 | Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for
their labour. |
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10 | For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to
him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to
help him up. |
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11 | Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can
one be warm alone? |
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12 | And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a
threefold cord is not quickly broken. |
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13 | Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish
king, who will no more be admonished. |
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14 | For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is
born in his kingdom becometh poor. |
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15 | I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the
second child that shall stand up in his stead. |
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16 | There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been
before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in
him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. |
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