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.

I turned myself to other things, and I saw the false accusations which are carried out under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and that there was no one to console them; and that they were not able to withstand their violence, being destitute of all help.

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

And so, I praised the dead more than the living.

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.

And happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which are 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 was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety.

5 The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying:

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

“A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.”

7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

While considering this, I also discovered another 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.

He is one, and he does not have a second: no son, no brother. And yet he does not cease to labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth, nor does he reflect, saying: “For whom do I labor and cheat my soul of good things?” In this, too, is emptiness and a most burdensome affliction.

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

Therefore, it is better for two to be together, than for one to be alone. For they have the advantage of their companionship.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and does not have another to lift him up.

If one falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up.

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

And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person alone be warmed?

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

And if a man can prevail against one, two may withstand him, and a threefold cord is broken with difficulty.

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

Better is a boy, poor and wise, than a king, old and foolish, who does not know to look ahead for the sake of posterity.

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

For sometimes, one goes forth from prison and chains, to a kingdom, while another, born to kingly power, is consumed by need.

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

I saw all the living who are walking under the sun, and I saw the next generation, who shall rise up in their places.

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.

The number of people, out of all who existed before these, is boundless. And those who will exist afterwards shall not rejoice in them. But this, too, is emptiness and an affliction of the spirit.