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 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.

2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.

Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.

7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

And I returned and saw vanity 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.

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.

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 labour.

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.

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!

11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?

Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?

12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.

And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is 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.

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

14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.

For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his 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 that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.

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 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.