Ecclesiastes 4

1 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.

So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

2 Therefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.

and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

3 Yea, better is he than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 Again, I considered all labour, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

And I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness 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 both the hands full with toil and vexation of spirit.

Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a grievous labour.

There is one [alone], and there is not a second; yes, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.

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

Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him to rise.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.

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

Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]

12 And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no longer be admonished.

Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; though also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because [he] also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

15 I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

I saw all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

16 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.

There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.