Propovjednik 4
1 Opet stadoh promatrati sva nasilja koja se čine pod suncem, i gle, suze potlačenih, i nikog nema da ih utre; i nasilje iz tlačiteljske ruke, a zaštitnika niotkuda.
So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:
2 Zato sretnima smatram mrtve koji su već pomrli; sretniji su od živih što još žive.
and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.
3 A od obojih je sretniji onaj koji još nije postao, koji nije vidio zlih djela što se čine pod suncem.
Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.
4 Nadalje iskusih da svaki napor i svaki uspjeh pribavlja čovjeku zavist njegova bližnjeg. I to je ispraznost i pusta tlapnja.
And I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.
5 Bezumnik prekriži ruke i izjeda sebe.
The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
6 Bolja je puna šaka u miru nego obje pregršti mučna rada i puste tlapnje.
Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.
7 I još jednu opazih ispraznost pod suncem:
So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
8 Čovjek potpun samac - bez sina, bez brata, i opet nema kraja njegovu trudu; oči mu se ne mogu nasititi blaga; a ne misli: za koga se mučim i uskraćujem dobro sebi? I to je ispraznost i zla briga.
There is one [alone], and there is not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.
9 Bolje je dvojici nego jednome, jer imaju bolju plaću za svoj trud.
Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labour.
10 Padne li jedan, drugi će ga podići; a teško jednomu! Ako padne, nema nikoga da ga podigne.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.
11 Pa ako se i spava udvoje, toplije je; a kako će se samac zagrijati?
Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]
12 I ako tko udari na jednoga, dvojica će mu se oprijeti; i trostruko se uže ne kida brzo.
And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.
13 Bolji je mladić siromašan a mudar nego kralj star a lud, koji više ne zna za savjet.
Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.
14 Jer mladić može izići iz tamnice i postati kraljem, iako se rodio kao prosjak u svom kraljevstvu.
For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because [he] also that was in his kingdom has become poor.
15 Opazih kako svi koji žive i hode pod suncem pristaju uz mladića, uz nastupnika koji ga naslijedi.
I beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.
16 On stupa na čelo bezbrojnih podanika i kasniji se naraštaji ne mogahu zbog njega radovati. I to je zacijelo ispraznost i pusta tlapnja.
There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.
