Ecclesiastes 4

1 So 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.

Then I returned and saw 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 praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

Therefore I praised the dead who have long been dead more than the living who are yet alive.

3 Yea, better [is he] than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Yea, 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 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

6 Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit.

Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

8 There is one [alone], and [there is] not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet [is there] no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yea, it [is] a sore travail.

There is one man who is alone, and he has not a second, yea, he has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end of all his labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, he says, do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a great travail.

9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and has not another to lift him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?

Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth, but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

And if a man prevails against him who is alone, two shall withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who does not know how to receive admonition any more.

14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.

For he came forth out of prison to be king, yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, who stood up in his stead.

16 [There is] no end of all the people, [even] of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

There was no end of all the people, even of all those over whom he was. Yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.