Ecclesiastes 4

1 I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.

Then I turned and saw all the oppressions which take place under the sun; and, behold, there were the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and from the hand of their oppressors there was violence, and they had no comforter.

2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:

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

3 And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.

Yea, better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work which is done under the sun.

4 Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.

And I saw all labor, and all success in work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity, and striving after wind.

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

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

6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.

Better is a hand full of quietness, than both hands full of weariness and striving after wind.

7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

Then I turned and saw other vanity under the sun.

8 There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.

There is one who is alone, and no one with him; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end to all his labor, and his eye is not satisfied with riches. “For whom, then [[saith he]], do I labor and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity; yea, it is an evil thing!

9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:

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

10 If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.

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

11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?

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

12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.

And if an enemy prevail against one, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.

Better is a child poor but wise, than a king old and foolish, who will no more be admonished.

14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.

For out of prison cometh forth such a one to reign; for in his own kingdom he was born a poor man.

15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.

I saw that all the living, who walk under the sun, were with the child who stood up in his stead.

16 The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

There was no end to all the people before whom he went forth; yet they that come afterwards shall not rejoice in him. This also is vanity, and striving after wind.