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.

And I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and lo, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their oppressors [is] power, and they have no comforter.

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

And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who 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.

And better than both of them [is] he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been 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.

And I have seen all the labour, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbour. Even this [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

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

The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:

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

'Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than two handfuls [with] labour and vexation of spirit.'

7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

And I have turned, and I see a vain thing 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, and there is not a second; even son or brother he hath not, and there is no end to all his labour! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], 'For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?' This also is vanity, it is a sad travail.

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

The two [are] better than the one, in that they have a good reward by 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 raiseth up his companion, but woe to the one who falleth and there is not a second to raise him up!

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

Also, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how hath one heat?

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 the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily 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 wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more.

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

For from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he hath been 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 have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who doth stand 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 no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter rejoice not in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.