I, the Teacher, [was] king over Israel in Jerusalem.

{I said to myself}, "Look! I have become great and have increased [in] wisdom more than anyone who {has preceded} me over Jerusalem. {I have acquired a great deal of wisdom and knowledge}."

I realized that wisdom has an advantage over folly, just as light has an advantage over darkness.

For the fate of {humans} and the fate of the beast is {the same}. The death of the one is like the death of the other, for {both are mortal}. Man has no advantage over the beast, for both are fleeting.

Do not be surprised if you see the poor being oppressed with violence or [do not see] justice and righteousness in the province. For one official is watched by a higher official, and [there are] even higher officials over them!

So do the wise [really] have an advantage over fools? {Can the poor [really] gain anything by knowing how to act in front of others}?