Kazatel 4
1 Opět obrátiv se, i viděl jsem všeliká ssoužení, kteráž se dějí pod sluncem, a aj, slzy křivdu trpících, ješto nemají potěšitele, ani moci k vyjití z ruky těch, kteříž je ssužují, a nemají potěšitele.
I thought some more about all the suffering that people are caused to experience on the earth [MTY]. I saw the tears of people who were (oppressed/treated cruelly) and who had no one to comfort/encourage them. Those who oppressed them had power, and there was absolutely no one who was able to comfort those who were being oppressed.
2 Protož já chválil jsem mrtvé, kteříž již zemřeli, více nežli živé, kteříž jsou živi až po dnes.
[So] I thought that those who are already dead are more fortunate than those who are still alive.
3 Nýbrž nad oba tyto šťastnější jest ten, kterýž ještě nebyl, a neviděl skutku zlého, dějícího se pod sluncem.
And those who have not been born yet are more fortunate than those who are still alive and those who have died, [because] those who have not been born have not seen all the evil things that are done on the earth.
4 Nebo spatřil jsem všelikou práci a každé dobré dílo, že jest k závisti jedněch druhým. I to také jest marnost a trápení ducha.
I also thought about all the hard work that people do and the skills that they have. And I thought about how they compete with each other because they are envious of others, [and I concluded that] this also is something that is not accomplishing anything useful, [like] chasing the wind.
5 Blázen skládá ruce své, a jí maso své, říkaje:
Foolish people [refuse to work]; they sit idly, with their hands folded, [and do not work]. [So] they ruin themselves.
6 Lepší jest plná hrst s odpočinutím, nežli přehršlí plné s prací a trápením ducha.
[So I say], “It is better to be content with not having much money, than to work very hard and try to get a lot of money, which is [as useless as] chasing the wind.”
7 Opět obrátiv se, viděl jsem jinou marnost pod sluncem:
I thought about something else that happens on the earth [MTY] that seems senseless.
8 Jest samotný někdo, nemaje žádného, ani syna, ani bratra, a však není konce všeliké práci jeho, ani oči jeho nemohou se nasytiti bohatství. Nepomyslí: Komu já pracuji, tak že i životu svému ujímám pohodlí? I to také jest marnost a bídné zaneprázdnění.
There are men who live alone; they do not have a wife or children or any brothers living with them; every day they work [very hard], without stopping, to get a lot of money, but they are never satisfied with the things that they have. They never ask [themselves], “Why am I working very hard to earn more money? Why am I not doing things that would cause me to be happy?” What they do also seems senseless.
9 Lépeť jest dvěma než jednomu; mají zajisté dobrý užitek z práce své.
Having someone [work] with you is better than being by yourself [all the time]. If you have a friend, he can help you to do your work.
10 Nebo padne-li který z nich, druhý pozdvihne tovaryše svého. Běda tedy samotnému, když by padl; nebo nemá druhého, aby ho pozdvihl.
If you fall down, he can help you get up again. But if you fall down when you are alone, it will be difficult for you, because there will be no one to help you stand up.
11 Také budou-li dva spolu ležeti, zahřejí se, ale jeden jak se zahřeje?
Similarly, if two people sleep together, they can keep each other warm. But someone who sleeps alone will certainly not [RHQ] be warm.
12 Ovšem, jestliže by se kdo jednoho zmocniti chtěl, dva postaví se proti němu; ano trojnásobní provázek nesnadně se přetrhne.
Someone who is alone can easily be attacked and defeated by another person, but two people can help each other and (resist/defend themselves against) someone who attacks them. [Three people can defend themselves even more easily], [like] a rope that is made from three cords is harder to break [than a rope made from two cords].
13 Lepší jest dítě chudé a moudré, než král starý a blázen, kterýž neumí již ani napomenutí přijímati,
A young man who is poor but wise is a better person than a foolish old king who refuses to pay attention when people try to give him good advice.
14 Ačkoli z žaláře vychází, aby kraloval, nýbrž i v království svém může na chudobu přijíti.
It is possible for a young man like that to succeed and some day become king, even if his parents were poor or even if he was in prison some of the time.
15 Viděl jsem všecky živé, kteříž chodí pod sluncem, ani se přídrželi pacholete, potomka onoho, kterýž měl kralovati místo něho.
But then some other young man becomes king, and everyone (starts to support/is pleased with) him.
16 Nebývalo konce té vrtkosti všeho lidu, jakž toho, kterýž byl před nimi, takž ani potomci nebudou se těšiti z něho. Protož i to jest marnost a trápení ducha.
Large crowds of people crowd around him. But after a few years, they will reject him, [too]. So it is all senseless, [like] chasing after the wind.
