Ecclesiastes 4
1 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.
So I turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought vnder the sunne, and beholde the teares of the oppressed, and none comforteth them: and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppresse them, and none comforteth them.
2 Therefore I praised the dead who have long been dead more than the living who are yet alive.
Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
3 Yea, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
And I count him better then them both, which hath not yet bin: for he hath not seene the euill workes which are wrought vnder the sunne.
4 Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Also I beheld all trauaile, and all perfection of workes that this is ye enuie of a man against his neighbour: this also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
8 There is one man who is alone, and he has not a second, yea, he has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end of all his labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, he says, do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a great travail.
There is one alone, and there is not a second, which hath neither sonne nor brother, yet is there none end of all his trauaile, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doeth he thinke, For whome doe I trauaile and defraude my soule of pleasure? this also is vanitie, and this is an euill trauaile.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and has not another to lift him up.
For if they fal, the one wil lift vp his felow: but wo vnto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him vp.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth, but how can one be warm alone?
Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
12 And if a man prevails against him who is alone, two shall withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.
13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who does not know how to receive admonition any more.
Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
14 For he came forth out of prison to be king, yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.
15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, who stood up in his stead.
I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his place.
16 There was no end of all the people, even of all those over whom he was. Yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
There is none ende of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this is also vanitie and vexation of spirit.
