Ecclesiastes 4
1 Once again I thought about all the oppression that is done under the sun. And behold, the tears of oppressed people, and they had no one to comfort them! Power was in the hand of their oppressors, and there was no one to comfort them!
Volví (a pensar) y vi todas las opresiones que se cometen debajo del sol; y miré a los oprimidos en sus lágrimas, sin haber nadie que los consolase, sujetos a la violencia de sus opresores sin tener consolador.
2 So I considered those who are already dead more fortunate than the living, who are still alive.
Por lo cual llamé dichosos a los hombres que ya murieron, más que a los vivos que viven todavía.
3 However, more fortunate than both of them is the one who has not yet lived, the one who has not seen any of the evil acts that are done under the sun.
Y más dichoso que ambos, a aquel que no ha sido, ni vio las cosas malas que se hacen bajo el sol.
4 Then I saw that every act of labor and every skillful work became the envy of one's neighbor. This also is vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind.
Vi además que todo trabajo y todo esmero que un hombre emplea en sus obras provoca la envidia de su prójimo. También esto es vanidad y correr tras el viento.
5 The fool folds his hands and does not work, so his food is his own flesh.
Cruza el necio sus manos, y come su propia carne (diciendo):
6 But better is a handful of profit with quiet work than two handfuls with the work that tries to shepherd the wind.
“Más vale una sola mano llena con reposo, que las dos llenas con trabajo y correr tras el viento.”
7 Then I thought again about more futility, more vanishing vapor under the sun.
Reflexioné de nuevo y reparé en otra vanidad debajo del sol:
8 There is the kind of man who is alone. He does not have anyone, no son or brother. There is no end to all his work, and his eyes are not satisfied with gaining wealth. He wonders, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vapor, a bad situation.
Un hombre solo, sin compañero, sin hijo ni hermano, y con todo no cesa de trabajar, ni se hartan de riquezas sus ojos. (No dice): “¿Para quién trabajo yo y me privo de los placeres?” También esto es vanidad y grave molestia.
9 Two people work better than one; together they can earn a good pay for their labor.
Más valen dos que uno solo; porque así sacan más fruto de su trabajo.
10 For if one falls, the other can lift up his friend. However, sorrow follows the one who is alone when he falls if there is no one to lift him up.
Pues si caen, el uno puede levantar a su compañero. Mas ¡ay del solo si cae y no hay segundo que le levante!
11 If two lie down together, they can be warm, but how can one be warm alone?
Del mismo modo si duermen dos juntos, se calientan mutuamente; uno solo ¿cómo podrá calentarse?
12 One man alone can be overpowered, but two can withstand an attack, and a three-strand rope is not quickly broken.
Y si alguien ataca a uno, los dos le resisten; pues una cuerda triplicada difícilmente se rompe.
13 It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to listen to warnings.
Más vale un joven pobre y sabio que un rey viejo e insensato, que ya no sabe ponderar los consejos.
14 This is true even if the young man becomes king from prison, or even if he was born poor in his kingdom.
Pues aquel sale de la cárcel y llega a reinar, aunque nació pobre en el reino de este.
15 I saw everyone who was alive and was walking around under the sun, along with a youth who was to rise up to take his place.
Y vi cómo todos los vivientes debajo del sol iban en pos del joven sucesor, quien en lugar del (rey) se levantaba.
16 There is no end to all the people who want to obey the new king, but later many of them will no longer praise him. Surely this situation is vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind.
Era infinito el número de toda aquella gente, de todos aquellos a cuyo frente él marchaba, y sin embargo los que vendrán después, no se alegrarán por él. También esto es vanidad y correr tras el viento.
