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 returned and saw 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 Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive;

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.

yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him which 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 success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

Then I saw all labour and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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

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

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

Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind.

7 And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

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.

There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

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

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

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!

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

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

Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth: but how can one be warm [alone]?

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

And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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

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

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

For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom 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 saw all the living which walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

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.

There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.