Ecclesiastes 4

1 Then I turned and saw all the oppressions which take place under the sun; and, behold, there were the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and from the hand of their oppressors there was violence, and 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 Therefore I praised the dead, who have been long ago dead, more than the living, who are yet alive.

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

3 Yea, better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work which is done under the sun.

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.

4 And I saw all labor, and all success in work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity, and striving after wind.

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 foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

6 Better is a hand full of quietness, than both hands full of weariness and striving after wind.

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

7 Then I turned and saw other vanity under the sun.

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

8 There is one who is alone, and no one with him; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end to all his labor, and his eye is not satisfied with riches. “For whom, then [[saith he]], do I labor and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity; yea, it is an evil thing!

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.

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

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

10 For if they fall, the one will lift his fellow up; but woe to him who is alone when he falleth, and 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 falleth; for [he hath] 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 an enemy prevail against one, 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 child poor but wise, than a king old and foolish, 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 cometh forth such a one to reign; for in his own kingdom he was born a poor man.

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

15 I saw that all the living, who walk under the sun, were with the child who stood up in his stead.

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

16 There was no end to all the people before whom he went forth; yet they that come afterwards shall not rejoice in him. This also is vanity, and striving after wind.

[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.