Ecclesiastes 4

1 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.

I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.

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

And I praised the dead rather than the living:

3 yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.

4 Then I saw all labour and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.

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

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:

6 Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind.

Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.

7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

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

There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.

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

It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:

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

If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.

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

And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?

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

And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.

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

Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.

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

Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.

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

I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.

16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.