Ecclesiastes 4
1 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.
Fremdeles så jeg al den Undertrykkelse, som sker under Solen; jeg så de undertryktes tårer og ingen trøstede dem; de led Vold af deres Undertrykkeres Hånd, og ingen trøstede dem.
2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:
Da priste jeg de døde, som allerede er døde, lykkeligere end de levende, som endnu er i Live;
3 And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
men lykkeligere end begge den, som slet ikke er til, som ikke har set det onde, der sker under Solen.
4 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.
Og jeg så, at al Flid og alt dygtigt Arbejde udspringer af den enes Misundelse mod den anden. Også det er Tomhed og Jag efter Vind.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
Dåren lægger Hænderne i Skødet og æder sig selv op
6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
Bedre en Håndfuld Hvile end Hænderne fulde af Flid og Jag efter Vind.
7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
Og mere Tomhed så jeg under Solen.
8 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.
Mangen står alene og har ikke nogen ved sin Side, hverken Søn eller Broder, og dog er der ingen Ende på al hans Flid og hans Øje bliver ikke mæt af Rigdom. Men, for hvis Skyld gør jeg mig Flid og nægter mig enhver Nydelse? Også det, er Tomhed og ondt Slid.
9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
To er bedre faren end een, thi de får god Løn for deres Flid;
10 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.
hvis den ene falder, kan den anden rejse sin Fælle op. Men ve den ensomme! Thi falder han, er der ingen til at rejse ham op.
11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
Og når to ligger sammen, bliver de varme; men hvorledes kan den ensomme blive varm?
12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
Og når nogen kan overvælde den ensomme, så kan to stå sig imod ham; tretvundet Snor brister ikke i Hast.
13 Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
Bedre faren er en fattig Yngling, som er viis, end en gammel Konge, som er en Tåbe og ikke mere har Forstand til at lade sig råde.
14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
Thi hin gik ud af Fængselet for at blive Konge, skønt han var født i Fattigdom under den andens Regering.
15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
Jeg så alle, som levede og færdedes under Solen, stille sig ved den Ynglings Side, som skulde træde i Kongens Sted;
16 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.
der var ikke Tal på alle de Mennesker, han stod i Spidsen for; men heller ikke over ham glæder de senere Slægter sig; nej, også det er Tomhed og Jag efter Vind.
