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.
But I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun; and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.
2 Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;
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 better than they both is he that hath not yet been, who hath not seen 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.
Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5 The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
Better is a handful of quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.
7 Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
Then 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 that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?' This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business.
9 Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.
Two are better than one; because 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 falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.
11 Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
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 him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not 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 knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
14 For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.
For out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom 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 saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead.
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 was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
