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.

I thought some more about all the suffering that people are caused to experience on the earth [MTY]. I saw the tears of people who were (oppressed/treated cruelly) and who had no one to comfort/encourage them. Those who oppressed them had power, and there was absolutely no one who was able to comfort those who were being oppressed.

2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:

[So] I thought that those who are already dead are more fortunate than those who are still 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 those who have not been born yet are more fortunate than those who are still alive and those who have died, [because] those who have not been born have not seen all the evil things that are done on the earth.

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.

I also thought about all the hard work that people do and the skills that they have. And I thought about how they compete with each other because they are envious of others, [and I concluded that] this also is something that is not accomplishing anything useful, [like] chasing the wind.

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

Foolish people [refuse to work]; they sit idly, with their hands folded, [and do not work]. [So] they ruin themselves.

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

[So I say], “It is better to be content with not having much money, than to work very hard and try to get a lot of money, which is [as useless as] chasing the wind.”

7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

I thought about something else that happens on the earth [MTY] that seems senseless.

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 are men who live alone; they do not have a wife or children or any brothers living with them; every day they work [very hard], without stopping, to get a lot of money, but they are never satisfied with the things that they have. They never ask [themselves], “Why am I working very hard to earn more money? Why am I not doing things that would cause me to be happy?” What they do also seems senseless.

9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:

Having someone [work] with you is better than being by yourself [all the time]. If you have a friend, he can help you to do your 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.

If you fall down, he can help you get up again. But if you fall down when you are alone, it will be difficult for you, because there will be no one to help you stand up.

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

Similarly, if two people sleep together, they can keep each other warm. But someone who sleeps alone will certainly not [RHQ] be warm.

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

Someone who is alone can easily be attacked and defeated by another person, but two people can help each other and (resist/defend themselves against) someone who attacks them. [Three people can defend themselves even more easily], [like] a rope that is made from three cords is harder to break [than a rope made from two cords].

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 but wise is a better person than a foolish old king who refuses to pay attention when people try to give him good advice.

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

It is possible for a young man like that to succeed and some day become king, even if his parents were poor or even if he was in prison some of the time.

15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.

But then some other young man becomes king, and everyone (starts to support/is pleased with) him.

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.

Large crowds of people crowd around him. But after a few years, they will reject him, [too]. So it is all senseless, [like] chasing after the wind.