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.

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.

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

Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

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

yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

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

Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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

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

6 Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] toil and vexation of spirit.

Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

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

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

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

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 labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

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

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: 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 falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.

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

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

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

And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

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

For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born 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 that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

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 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.