Ecclesiastes 4

1 verti me ad alia et vidi calumnias quae sub sole geruntur et lacrimas innocentum et consolatorem neminem nec posse resistere eorum violentiae cunctorum auxilio destitutos

So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

2 et laudavi magis mortuos quam viventes

and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

3 et feliciorem utroque iudicavi qui necdum natus est nec vidit mala quae sub sole fiunt

Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 rursum contemplatus omnes labores hominum et industrias animadverti patere invidiae proximi et in hoc ergo vanitas et cura superflua est

And I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

5 stultus conplicat manus suas et comedit carnes suas dicens

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

6 melior est pugillus cum requie quam plena utraque manus cum labore et adflictione animi

Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

7 considerans repperi et aliam vanitatem sub sole

So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

8 unus est et secundum non habet non filium non fratrem et tamen laborare non cessat nec satiantur oculi eius divitiis nec recogitat dicens cui laboro et fraudo animam meam bonis in hoc quoque vanitas est et adflictio pessima

There is one [alone], and there is not a second; yes, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.

9 melius ergo est duos simul esse quam unum habent enim emolumentum societatis suae

Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labour.

10 si unus ceciderit ab altero fulcietur vae soli quia cum ruerit non habet sublevantem

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.

11 et si dormierint duo fovebuntur mutuo unus quomodo calefiet

Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]

12 et si quispiam praevaluerit contra unum duo resistent ei funiculus triplex difficile rumpitur

And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.

13 melior est puer pauper et sapiens rege sene et stulto qui nescit providere in posterum

Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

14 quod et de carcere catenisque interdum quis egrediatur ad regnum et alius natus in regno inopia consumatur

For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because [he] also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

15 vidi cunctos viventes qui ambulant sub sole cum adulescente secundo qui consurgit pro eo

I saw all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

16 infinitus numerus est populi omnium qui fuerunt ante eum et qui postea futuri sunt non laetabuntur in eo sed et hoc vanitas et adflictio spiritus

There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.