Ecclesiastes 4
1 So I turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought vnder the sunne, and beholde the teares of the oppressed, and none comforteth them: and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppresse them, and none comforteth 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 Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.
3 And I count him better then them both, which hath not yet bin: for he hath not seene the euill workes which are wrought vnder the sunne.
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 Also I beheld all trauaile, and all perfection of workes that this is ye enuie of a man against his neighbour: this also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
And I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.
5 The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
6 Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.
7 Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
8 There is one alone, and there is not a second, which hath neither sonne nor brother, yet is there none end of all his trauaile, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doeth he thinke, For whome doe I trauaile and defraude my soule of pleasure? this also is vanitie, and this is an euill trauaile.
There is one [alone], and there is not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.
9 Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.
Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fal, the one wil lift vp his felow: but wo vnto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him vp.
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 Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]
12 And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.
And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.
13 Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.
14 For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.
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 behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his place.
I beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.
16 There is none ende of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this is also vanitie and vexation of spirit.
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.
