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.
Kisha nikarudi na kuona madhalimu yote yanayotendeka chini ya jua; na tazama, machozi yao waliodhulumiwa, ambao walikuwa hawana mfariji; na upande wa wale waliowadhulumu kulikuwa na uwezo, walakini wale walikuwa hawana mfariji.
2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
Kwa hiyo nikawasifu wafu waliokwisha kufa kuliko wenye uhai walio hai bado;
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.
naam, zaidi ya hao wote nikamwita heri yeye asiyekuwako bado, ambaye hakuyaona mabaya yanayotendeka chini ya jua.
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.
Tena nikafikiri amali zote, na kila kazi ya ustadi, ya kwamba inatoka katika mtu kupingana na mwenzake. Hayo nayo ni ubatili na kujilisha upepo.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Mpumbavu huikunja mikono yake, Naye hula chakula chake mwenyewe;
6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Heri konzi moja pamoja na utulivu, Kuliko konzi mbili pamoja na taabu; na kujilisha upepo.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Kisha nikarudi tena, na kuona ubatili chini ya jua.
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.
Kuna mtu aliye peke yake, wala hana wa pili wake; naam, hana mwana wala ndugu; hata hivyo amali yake haina mwisho, wala macho yake hayashibi utajiri. Basi asema, Ni kwa ajili ya nani nafanya kazi, na kujinyima nafsi yangu mema? Hayo nayo ni ubatili, naam, ni taabu kubwa.
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Afadhali kuwa wawili kuliko mmoja; Maana wapata ijara njema kwa kazi yao.
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.
Kwa maana wakianguka, mmoja wao atamwinua mwenzake; lakini ole wake aliye peke yake aangukapo, wala hana mwingine wa kumwinua!
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
Tena, wawili wakilala pamoja, hapo watapata moto; lakini mmoja aliye peke yake tu awezaje kuona moto?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Hata ikiwa mtu aweza kumshinda yule aliye peke yake, wawili watampinga; wala kamba ya nyuzi tatu haikatiki upesi.
13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
Heri kijana maskini mwenye hekima Kuliko mfalme mzee mpumbavu.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
Kwa maana kutoka gerezani alikuja kumiliki; naam, hata katika ufalme wake alizaliwa hali ya umaskini.
15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
Nikawaona wote walio hai waendao chini ya jua, ya kwamba walishikamana na huyo kijana, huyo wa pili aliyesimama badala ya yule.
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.
Hawakuwa na kikomo hao watu wote, hao wote ambao alikuwa juu yao; lakini hata hivyo wale wafuatao baada yake hawatamfurahia. Hakika hayo pia ni ubatili, na kujilisha upepo.
