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.

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 Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;

3 yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

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 Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.

7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

8 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 labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

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 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 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.

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 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]?

Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?

12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.

14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.

15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.

16 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.

[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.