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.

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

Therefore I praised the dead who have been long 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 than them both is him who has not yet been, who has 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.

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

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

The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

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 two handfuls with labour and chasing after wind.

7 And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

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

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 labour.

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 who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.

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 warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.