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.
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 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive;
Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
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 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 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.
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 foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
6 Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind.
Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
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 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; because they have a good reward for their labour.
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 falleth, and hath not another 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 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth: but how can one be warm [alone]?
Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
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 one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard 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 poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born 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 which walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.
I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp 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.
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.
