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.
And again I saw all the cruel things which are done under the sun; there was the weeping of those who have evil done to them, and they had no comforter: and from the hands of the evil-doers there went out power, but they had no comforter.
2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:
So my praise was for the dead who have gone to their death, more than for the living who still have life.
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.
Yes, happier than the dead or the living seemed he who has not ever been, who has not seen the evil which is done under the sun.
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.
And I saw that the cause of all the work and of everything which is done well was man's envy of his neighbour. This again is to no purpose and a desire for wind.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
The foolish man, folding his hands, takes the flesh of his body for food.
6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
One hand full of rest is better than two hands full of trouble and desire for wind.
7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
Then I came back, and I saw an example of what is to no purpose under the sun.
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.
It is one who is by himself, without a second, and without son or brother; but there is no end to all his work, and he has never enough of wealth. For whom, then, am I working and keeping myself from pleasure? This again is to no purpose, and a bitter work.
9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their work.
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.
And if one has a fall, the other will give him a hand; but unhappy is the man who is by himself, because he has no helper.
11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
So again, if two are sleeping together they are warm, but how may one be warm by himself?
12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
And two attacked by one would be safe, and three cords twisted together are not quickly broken.
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.
A young man who is poor and wise is better than a king who is old and foolish and will not be guided by the wisdom of others.
14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
Because out of a prison the young man comes to be king, though by birth he was only a poor man in the kingdom.
15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
I saw all the living under the sun round the young man who was to be ruler in place of the king.
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.
There was no end of all the people, of all those whose head he was, but they who come later will have no delight in him. This again is to no purpose and desire for wind.
