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:
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.
2 and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.
Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
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 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.
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.
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.
5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
6 Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.
Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
7 So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
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.
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.
9 Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labor.
Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.
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.
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.
11 Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]
Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
12 And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.
And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.
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 poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
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 out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.
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 behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his place.
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.
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.
