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 turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought vnder the sunne, and beholde the teares of the oppressed, and none comforteth them: and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppresse them, and none comforteth them.
2 Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
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.
And I count him better then them both, which hath not yet bin: for he hath not seene the euill workes which are wrought vnder the sunne.
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.
Also I beheld all trauaile, and all perfection of workes that this is ye enuie of a man against his neighbour: this also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
6 Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] toil and vexation of spirit.
Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
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 alone, and there is not a second, which hath neither sonne nor brother, yet is there none end of all his trauaile, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doeth he thinke, For whome doe I trauaile and defraude my soule of pleasure? this also is vanitie, and this is an euill trauaile.
9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
Two are better then one: for they haue better wages 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; for [he hath] not another to help him to rise.
For if they fal, the one wil lift vp his felow: but wo vnto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him vp.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?
Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
12 And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.
And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily 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 poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.
For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.
15 I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his 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 none ende of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this is also vanitie and vexation of spirit.
