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 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 et laudavi magis mortuos quam viventes
Therefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
3 et feliciorem utroque iudicavi qui necdum natus est nec vidit mala quae sub sole fiunt
Yea, better is he than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen 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
Again, I considered all labour, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 stultus conplicat manus suas et comedit carnes suas dicens
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 melior est pugillus cum requie quam plena utraque manus cum labore et adflictione animi
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with toil and vexation of spirit.
7 considerans repperi et aliam vanitatem sub sole
Then I returned, and I 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; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a grievous labour.
9 melius ergo est duos simul esse quam unum habent enim emolumentum societatis suae
Two are better than one; because 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 companion: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him to rise.
11 et si dormierint duo fovebuntur mutuo unus quomodo calefiet
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 et si quispiam praevaluerit contra unum duo resistent ei funiculus triplex difficile rumpitur
And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 melior est puer pauper et sapiens rege sene et stulto qui nescit providere in posterum
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no longer be admonished.
14 quod et de carcere catenisque interdum quis egrediatur ad regnum et alius natus in regno inopia consumatur
For out of prison he cometh to reign; though also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 vidi cunctos viventes qui ambulant sub sole cum adulescente secundo qui consurgit pro eo
I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
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 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.
