Ecclesiastes 4

1 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:

Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and look, 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.

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

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

3 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.

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.

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

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.

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

The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

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

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

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

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

8 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 labor; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.

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.

9 Two [are] better than one, [seeing] 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 falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

14 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.

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

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

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

16 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.

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.