Ecclesiastes 4

1 And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, and they had no comforter.

Then I turned to consider all the ways people oppress others here on earth. Look at the tears of the oppressed—there's no one to comfort them! Powerful people oppress them, and there's no one to comfort them!

2 Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;

I congratulated those who were already dead, for the dead are better off than those who are still alive and being oppressed.

3 and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

But best of all are those who have never existed—they haven't seen the evil things people do to each other here on earth.

4 And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

I observed that every skill in work comes from competition with others. Once again this is hard to understand, like trying to hold on to the elusive wind.

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

Fools fold their arms and do nothing—so in the end they're all used up.

6 Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.

It's better to earn a little without stress than a lot with too much stress and chasing after the wind.

7 And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Then I turned to consider something else here on earth that is also frustratingly hard to understand.

8 There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation.

What about someone who has no family to help him, no brother or son, who works all the time, but isn't satisfied with the money he makes. “Who am I working for?” he asks himself. “Why am I preventing myself from enjoying life?” Such a situation is hard to explain—it's an evil business!

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

Two are better than one, for they can help each other in their work.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up!

If one of them falls down, the other can help them up, but how sad it is for someone who falls down and doesn't have anyone to help them up.

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

In the same way, if two people lie down together, they keep each other warm, but you can't keep yourself warm if you're alone.

12 And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Someone fighting against one other person may win, but not if they are fighting against two. A cord made of three strands can't be torn apart quickly.

13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.

A poor young person who's wise is better than an old and foolish king who no longer accepts advice.

14 For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.

He may even come out of prison to reign over his kingdom, even though he was born poor.

15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.

I observed everyone here on earth following the youth who takes his place.

16 [There is] no end of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.

He is surrounded by crowds of supporters, but the next generation isn't happy with him. This also illustrates the passing nature of life whose meaning is elusive, like pursuing the wind for understanding.