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 turned and saw all the oppressions which take place under the sun; and, behold, there were the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and from the hand of their oppressors there was violence, and they had no comforter.

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

Therefore I praised the dead, who have been long ago dead, more than 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.

Yea, better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work which 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.

And I saw all labor, and all success in work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity, and 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 hand full of quietness, than both hands full of weariness and striving after wind.

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

Then I turned and saw other 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 who is alone, and no one with him; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end to all his labor, and his eye is not satisfied with riches. “For whom, then [[saith he]], do I labor and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity; yea, it is an evil thing!

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 his fellow up; but woe to him who is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to help 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 heat; 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 an enemy prevail against one, 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 child poor but wise, than a king old and foolish, who 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 prison cometh forth such a one to reign; for in his own kingdom he was born a poor man.

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

I saw that all the living, who walk under the sun, were with the child who 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 to all the people before whom he went forth; yet they that come afterwards shall not rejoice in him. This also is vanity, and striving after wind.