< 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.
So I returned, and considered 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.
2 Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;
Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
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.
Yes, better is [he] than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is 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 labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.
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 both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.
Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] toil and vexation of spirit.
7 And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned, and I saw 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 one [alone], and [there is] not a second; yes, he hath neither child nor brother: yet [is there] no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yes, it [is] a grievous labor.
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
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!
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him to rise.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?
12 And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly 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 poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.
I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
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.
[There is] no end of all the people, [even] of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

< Ecclesiastes 4 >