Ecclesiastes 4

1 So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

I turned myself to other things, and I saw the false accusations which are carried out under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and that there was no one to console them; and that they were not able to withstand their violence, being destitute of all help.

2 and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

And so, I praised the dead more than the living.

3 Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

And happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which are done under the sun.

4 And I saw all labor, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbor. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

Again, I was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety.

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

The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying:

6 Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

“A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.”

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

While considering this, I also discovered another vanity under the sun.

8 There is one [alone], and there is not a second; yes, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.

He is one, and he does not have a second: no son, no brother. And yet he does not cease to labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth, nor does he reflect, saying: “For whom do I labor and cheat my soul of good things?” In this, too, is emptiness and a most burdensome affliction.

9 Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labor.

Therefore, it is better for two to be together, than for one to be alone. For they have the advantage of their companionship.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.

If one falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up.

11 Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]

And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person alone be warmed?

12 And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.

And if a man can prevail against one, two may withstand him, and a threefold cord is broken with difficulty.

13 Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

Better is a boy, poor and wise, than a king, old and foolish, who does not know to look ahead for the sake of posterity.

14 For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because [he] also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

For sometimes, one goes forth from prison and chains, to a kingdom, while another, born to kingly power, is consumed by need.

15 I saw all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

I saw all the living who are walking under the sun, and I saw the next generation, who shall rise up in their places.

16 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.

The number of people, out of all who existed before these, is boundless. And those who will exist afterwards shall not rejoice in them. But this, too, is emptiness and an affliction of the spirit.