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.
And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, and they had no comforter.
2 Zato sretnima smatram mrtve koji su već pomrli; sretniji su od živih što još žive.
Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;
3 A od obojih je sretniji onaj koji još nije postao, koji nije vidio zlih djela što se čine pod suncem.
and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen 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 success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
5 Bezumnik prekriži ruke i izjeda sebe.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Bolja je puna šaka u miru nego obje pregršti mučna rada i puste tlapnje.
Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.
7 I još jednu opazih ispraznost pod suncem:
And 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 without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation.
9 Bolje je dvojici nego jednome, jer imaju bolju plaću za svoj trud.
Two are better than one; because 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 falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up!
11 Pa ako se i spava udvoje, toplije je; a kako će se samac zagrijati?
Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?
12 I ako tko udari na jednoga, dvojica će mu se oprijeti; i trostruko se uže ne kida brzo.
And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Bolji je mladić siromašan a mudar nego kralj star a lud, koji više ne zna za savjet.
Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.
14 Jer mladić može izići iz tamnice i postati kraljem, iako se rodio kao prosjak u svom kraljevstvu.
For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.
15 Opazih kako svi koji žive i hode pod suncem pristaju uz mladića, uz nastupnika koji ga naslijedi.
I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.
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 of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.
