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.

And I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and behold, 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 who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.

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

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

And I have seen all the labor, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbor. Even this [is] vanity and distress 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] 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 distress of spirit.”

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

And I have turned, and I see a vain thing 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, and there is not a second; even son or brother he has not, and there is no end to all his labor! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and [he does not say], “For whom am I laboring 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 labor.

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

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

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

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

And if the one strengthens himself, the two stand against him; and the 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 has not known to be warned anymore.

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

For from a house of prisoners he has come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he has been poor.

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

I have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who stands 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 no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter do not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and distress of spirit.