Eklesiastes 4
1 Bende ne aneno timbe misandogo ji e pinyni, mi aneno joma isando kaywak to onge ngʼama ne nyalo hoyogi, nikech joma ne sandogi ne nigi teko moloyogi.
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 Kendo ne angʼado ni joma ne osetho moyiki, gin johawi moloyo joma pod ngima.
Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
3 To joma johawi moloyogi duto, gin jogo ma pod ok onywol, ma pod ok oneno richo mitimo e bwo wangʼ chiengʼ.
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.
4 Kendo ne aneno ni tich matek duto kod ohala ma ngʼato yudo kuom tije timore mana nikech nyiego ma ngʼato nigo mar loyo nyawadgi. Ma bende onge tiende, ochalo gi lawo bangʼ yamo.
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.
5 Joma ofuwo masiko kokwakore, ketho ngimane owuon.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Bedo gi chiemo moromo lwedo achiel gi chuny mokwe ber moloyo bedo gi chiemo moromo lwedo ariyo gi tich matek, mature kayiem nono.
Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] toil and vexation of spirit.
7 Ne achako aneno gimoro maonge tiende e bwo wangʼ chiengʼ:
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8 Ne nitiere ngʼama ne ni kende; ne oonge wuowi kata owadgi. Ne otiyo matek ma ok oywe, to kata kamano ne oneno ni mwandune tin. Nopenjo niya, “En ngʼa ma atiyone matek kendo angʼo omiyo atwonora mor?” Ma bende onge tiende, ohala maonge mor!
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.
9 Ji ariyo ber moloyo ngʼato achiel nikech giyudo ohala kuom tich ma gitiyo.
Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 Ka ngʼato achiel opodho, to osiepne nyalo konye mondo ochungʼ malo. To atimo mos ne ngʼatno ma opodho piny to oonge gi ngʼat makonye mondo ochungʼ malo!
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.
11 Bende, ka ji ariyo onindo kanyakla, to gibiro yudo liet. To ere kaka ngʼato nyalo yudo liet ka en kende?
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?
12 Kata ka dipo ni ngʼato achiel inyalo loyo, to ji ariyo nyalo gengʼo jasigu. Tol mokad nyadidek ok chodo yot.
And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Ber bedo ngʼama tin modhier mariek moloyo ruoth moti mofuwo ma ok ongʼeyo kaka ikawo siem.
Better [is] a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 Ngʼato nyalo bedo ni oa e twech kata odhier, to bangʼe obedo ruoth e pinygi.
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 Aseneno ni jogo duto mane odak kendo owuotho e bwo wangʼ chiengʼ noluwo bangʼ ngʼama tin, mane okawo kom ruoth.
I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
16 Joma ne obiro motelone ne onge gikogi. To jogo mane obiro bangʼe ne ok mor kod ruoth mane okawo kare. Ma bende onge tiende, ochalo gi lawo bangʼ yamo.
[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.
