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

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

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.

Yea, better is he than either of them, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is 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 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 folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

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

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

7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Then I returned, and I saw 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 one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither says 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 labour.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward 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 fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth: 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 a man prevail against him that is alone, 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 poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

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 he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.

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

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 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.