Ecclesiastes 4

1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who 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 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.

2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

Why I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

3 Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Yes, better is he than both they, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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

5 The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

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

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

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

8 There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.

There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither says he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, 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 who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?

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

12 If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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

13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

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

14 For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.

15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

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

16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

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.