Ecclesiastes 4

1 I turned myself to other things, and I saw the false accusations which are carried out under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and that there was no one to console them; and that they were not able to withstand their violence, being destitute of all help.

Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

2 And so, I praised the dead more than the living.

Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

3 And happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which are done under the sun.

Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 Again, I was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety.

Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

5 The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying:

The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

6 “A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.”

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

7 While considering this, I also discovered another vanity under the sun.

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

8 He is one, and he does not have a second: no son, no brother. And yet he does not cease to labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth, nor does he reflect, saying: “For whom do I labor and cheat my soul of good things?” In this, too, is emptiness and a most burdensome affliction.

There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.

9 Therefore, it is better for two to be together, than for one to be alone. For they have the advantage of their companionship.

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

10 If one falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.

11 And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person alone be warmed?

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

12 And if a man can prevail against one, two may withstand him, and a threefold cord is broken with difficulty.

If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a boy, poor and wise, than a king, old and foolish, who does not know to look ahead for the sake of posterity.

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

14 For sometimes, one goes forth from prison and chains, to a kingdom, while another, born to kingly power, is consumed by need.

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

15 I saw all the living who are walking under the sun, and I saw the next generation, who shall rise up in their places.

I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

16 The number of people, out of all who existed before these, is boundless. And those who will exist afterwards shall not rejoice in them. But this, too, is emptiness and an affliction of the spirit.

There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.