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.
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.
2 Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
And I praised the dead rather than the living:
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.
And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are 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.
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.
5 The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
6 Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
7 Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
Considering I found also another 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 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.
9 Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.
It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
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.
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.
11 Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12 And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.
And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
13 Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14 For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.
Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
15 I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his place.
I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his 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.
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.
