Ecclesiastes 4
1 Then I turned to consider all the ways people oppress others here on earth. Look at the tears of the oppressed—there's no one to comfort them! Powerful people oppress them, and there's no one to comfort them!
I turned myself to other things, and I saw the false accusations which are carried out under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and that there was no one to console them; and that they were not able to withstand their violence, being destitute of all help.
2 I congratulated those who were already dead, for the dead are better off than those who are still alive and being oppressed.
And so, I praised the dead more than the living.
3 But best of all are those who have never existed—they haven't seen the evil things people do to each other here on earth.
And happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which are done under the sun.
4 I observed that every skill in work comes from competition with others. Once again this is hard to understand, like trying to hold on to the elusive wind.
Again, I was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety.
5 Fools fold their arms and do nothing—so in the end they're all used up.
The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying:
6 It's better to earn a little without stress than a lot with too much stress and chasing after the wind.
“A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.”
7 Then I turned to consider something else here on earth that is also frustratingly hard to understand.
While considering this, I also discovered another vanity under the sun.
8 What about someone who has no family to help him, no brother or son, who works all the time, but isn't satisfied with the money he makes. “Who am I working for?” he asks himself. “Why am I preventing myself from enjoying life?” Such a situation is hard to explain—it's an evil business!
He is one, and he does not have a second: no son, no brother. And yet he does not cease to labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth, nor does he reflect, saying: “For whom do I labor and cheat my soul of good things?” In this, too, is emptiness and a most burdensome affliction.
9 Two are better than one, for they can help each other in their work.
Therefore, it is better for two to be together, than for one to be alone. For they have the advantage of their companionship.
10 If one of them falls down, the other can help them up, but how sad it is for someone who falls down and doesn't have anyone to help them up.
If one falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up.
11 In the same way, if two people lie down together, they keep each other warm, but you can't keep yourself warm if you're alone.
And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person alone be warmed?
12 Someone fighting against one other person may win, but not if they are fighting against two. A cord made of three strands can't be torn apart quickly.
And if a man can prevail against one, two may withstand him, and a threefold cord is broken with difficulty.
13 A poor young person who's wise is better than an old and foolish king who no longer accepts advice.
Better is a boy, poor and wise, than a king, old and foolish, who does not know to look ahead for the sake of posterity.
14 He may even come out of prison to reign over his kingdom, even though he was born poor.
For sometimes, one goes forth from prison and chains, to a kingdom, while another, born to kingly power, is consumed by need.
15 I observed everyone here on earth following the youth who takes his place.
I saw all the living who are walking under the sun, and I saw the next generation, who shall rise up in their places.
16 He is surrounded by crowds of supporters, but the next generation isn't happy with him. This also illustrates the passing nature of life whose meaning is elusive, like pursuing the wind for understanding.
The number of people, out of all who existed before these, is boundless. And those who will exist afterwards shall not rejoice in them. But this, too, is emptiness and an affliction of the spirit.
