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:

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

Wherefore I praised the dead who are already 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 is [he] than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 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.

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

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

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

Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] toil and vexation of spirit.

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

Then I returned, and I 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 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.

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

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 [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him to rise.

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 heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?

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

And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold 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 a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

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 cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh 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 considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

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 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.