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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.

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

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.

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.

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

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.

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.