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.
But 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.
2 Zato sretnima smatram mrtve koji su već pomrli; sretniji su od živih što još žive.
Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;
3 A od obojih je sretniji onaj koji još nije postao, koji nije vidio zlih djela što se čine pod suncem.
but better than they both is he that 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.
Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after 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 of quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.
7 I još jednu opazih ispraznost pod suncem:
Then 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 that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?' This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business.
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 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 be warm alone?
12 I ako tko udari na jednoga, dvojica će mu se oprijeti; i trostruko se uže ne kida brzo.
And if a man prevail against him that is alone, 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 and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
14 Jer mladić može izići iz tamnice i postati kraljem, iako se rodio kao prosjak u svom kraljevstvu.
For out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom he was born poor.
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, that they were with the child, the second, that was to 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 was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
