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!

So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

2 I congratulated those who were already dead, for the dead are better off than those who are still alive and being oppressed.

and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

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.

Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is 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.

And I saw all labor, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbor. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

5 Fools fold their arms and do nothing—so in the end they're all used up.

The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

6 It's better to earn a little without stress than a lot with too much stress and chasing after the wind.

Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

7 Then I turned to consider something else here on earth that is also frustratingly hard to understand.

So I returned, and saw 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!

There is one [alone], and there is not a second; yes, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.

9 Two are better than one, for they can help each other in their work.

Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labor.

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.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second 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.

Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]

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 one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.

13 A poor young person who's wise is better than an old and foolish king who no longer accepts advice.

Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

14 He may even come out of prison to reign over his kingdom, even though he was born poor.

For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because [he] also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

15 I observed everyone here on earth following the youth who takes his place.

I saw all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

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.

There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.