< Ecclesiastes 4 >

1 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.
I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
2 Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;
And I praised the dead rather than the living:
3 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.
And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
4 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.
Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
6 Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.
Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
7 And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
8 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.
There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
10 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!
If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?
And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12 And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.
Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14 For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.
Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.
I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
16 [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.
The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

< Ecclesiastes 4 >