< 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.
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.
2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which 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 is he than either of them, which 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.
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.
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 an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned, and I 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 alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither says he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore 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 labour.
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 that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help 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 heat: 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 one prevail against him, 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 a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.
For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.
15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his position.
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 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.