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 returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who 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.
Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who 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.
Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has 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.
Then I saw all the labour and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5 The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
6 Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and chasing 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 who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labour and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable 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 who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have 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 keep warm alone?
12 And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.
If a man prevails against one who 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 youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know 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 out to be king; yes, even 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 who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.
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 over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
