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.
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!
2 Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
I congratulated those who were already dead, for the dead are better off than those who are still alive and being oppressed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5 The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
Fools fold their arms and do nothing—so in the end they're all used up.
6 Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
It's better to earn a little without stress than a lot with too much stress and chasing after the wind.
7 Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
Then I turned to consider something else here on earth that is also frustratingly hard to understand.
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.
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!
9 Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.
Two are better than one, for they can help each other in their work.
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 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.
11 Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
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.
12 And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.
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.
13 Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
A poor young person who's wise is better than an old and foolish king who no longer accepts advice.
14 For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.
He may even come out of prison to reign over his kingdom, even though he was born poor.
15 I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his place.
I observed everyone here on earth following the youth who takes 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.
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.
