Ecclesiastes 4
1 So I turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought vnder the sunne, and beholde the teares of the oppressed, and none comforteth them: and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppresse them, and none comforteth them.
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 Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
Therefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
3 And I count him better then them both, which hath not yet bin: for he hath not seene the euill workes which are wrought vnder the sunne.
Yea, 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 Also I beheld all trauaile, and all perfection of workes that this is ye enuie of a man against his neighbour: this also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
Again, I considered all labour, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with toil and vexation of spirit.
7 Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8 There is one alone, and there is not a second, which hath neither sonne nor brother, yet is there none end of all his trauaile, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doeth he thinke, For whome doe I trauaile and defraude my soule of pleasure? this also is vanitie, and this is an euill trauaile.
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a grievous labour.
9 Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fal, the one wil lift vp his felow: but wo vnto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him vp.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him to rise.
11 Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.
And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no longer be admonished.
14 For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.
For out of prison he cometh to reign; though also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his 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 none ende of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this is also vanitie and vexation 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.
