Ecclesiastes 4

1 So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

And I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and lo, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their oppressors [is] power, and they have no comforter.

2 and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive.

3 Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

And better than both of them [is] he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun.

4 And I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

And I have seen all the labour, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbour. Even this [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:

6 Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

'Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than two handfuls [with] labour and vexation of spirit.'

7 So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:

8 There is one [alone], and there is not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.

There is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he hath not, and there is no end to all his labour! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], 'For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?' This also is vanity, it is a sad travail.

9 Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labour.

The two [are] better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.

For if they fall, the one raiseth up his companion, but woe to the one who falleth and there is not a second to raise him up!

11 Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]

Also, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how hath one heat?

12 And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.

And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.

13 Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more.

14 For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because [he] also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

For from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he hath been poor.

15 I beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

I have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who doth stand in his place;

16 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.

there is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter rejoice not in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.