Eklesiastes 4
1 Bende ne aneno timbe misandogo ji e pinyni, mi aneno joma isando kaywak to onge ngʼama ne nyalo hoyogi, nikech joma ne sandogi ne nigi teko moloyogi.
Then I returned and saw 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 Kendo ne angʼado ni joma ne osetho moyiki, gin johawi moloyo joma pod ngima.
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive;
3 To joma johawi moloyogi duto, gin jogo ma pod ok onywol, ma pod ok oneno richo mitimo e bwo wangʼ chiengʼ.
yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4 Kendo ne aneno ni tich matek duto kod ohala ma ngʼato yudo kuom tije timore mana nikech nyiego ma ngʼato nigo mar loyo nyawadgi. Ma bende onge tiende, ochalo gi lawo bangʼ yamo.
Then I saw all labour and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5 Joma ofuwo masiko kokwakore, ketho ngimane owuon.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Bedo gi chiemo moromo lwedo achiel gi chuny mokwe ber moloyo bedo gi chiemo moromo lwedo ariyo gi tich matek, mature kayiem nono.
Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind.
7 Ne achako aneno gimoro maonge tiende e bwo wangʼ chiengʼ:
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
8 Ne nitiere ngʼama ne ni kende; ne oonge wuowi kata owadgi. Ne otiyo matek ma ok oywe, to kata kamano ne oneno ni mwandune tin. Nopenjo niya, “En ngʼa ma atiyone matek kendo angʼo omiyo atwonora mor?” Ma bende onge tiende, ohala maonge mor!
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 are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
9 Ji ariyo ber moloyo ngʼato achiel nikech giyudo ohala kuom tich ma gitiyo.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 Ka ngʼato achiel opodho, to osiepne nyalo konye mondo ochungʼ malo. To atimo mos ne ngʼatno ma opodho piny to oonge gi ngʼat makonye mondo ochungʼ malo!
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 Bende, ka ji ariyo onindo kanyakla, to gibiro yudo liet. To ere kaka ngʼato nyalo yudo liet ka en kende?
Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth: but how can one be warm [alone]?
12 Kata ka dipo ni ngʼato achiel inyalo loyo, to ji ariyo nyalo gengʼo jasigu. Tol mokad nyadidek ok chodo yot.
And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Ber bedo ngʼama tin modhier mariek moloyo ruoth moti mofuwo ma ok ongʼeyo kaka ikawo siem.
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
14 Ngʼato nyalo bedo ni oa e twech kata odhier, to bangʼe obedo ruoth e pinygi.
For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
15 Aseneno ni jogo duto mane odak kendo owuotho e bwo wangʼ chiengʼ noluwo bangʼ ngʼama tin, mane okawo kom ruoth.
I saw all the living which walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.
16 Joma ne obiro motelone ne onge gikogi. To jogo mane obiro bangʼe ne ok mor kod ruoth mane okawo kare. Ma bende onge tiende, ochalo gi lawo bangʼ yamo.
There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
