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:
Fremdeles så jeg al den Undertrykkelse, som sker under Solen; jeg så de undertryktes tårer og ingen trøstede dem; de led Vold af deres Undertrykkeres Hånd, og ingen trøstede dem.
2 and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.
Da priste jeg de døde, som allerede er døde, lykkeligere end de levende, som endnu er i Live;
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.
men lykkeligere end begge den, som slet ikke er til, som ikke har set det onde, der sker under Solen.
4 And I saw all labor, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbor. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.
Og jeg så, at al Flid og alt dygtigt Arbejde udspringer af den enes Misundelse mod den anden. Også det er Tomhed og Jag efter Vind.
5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
Dåren lægger Hænderne i Skødet og æder sig selv op
6 Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.
Bedre en Håndfuld Hvile end Hænderne fulde af Flid og Jag efter Vind.
7 So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
Og mere Tomhed så jeg under Solen.
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 labor; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.
Mangen står alene og har ikke nogen ved sin Side, hverken Søn eller Broder, og dog er der ingen Ende på al hans Flid og hans Øje bliver ikke mæt af Rigdom. Men, for hvis Skyld gør jeg mig Flid og nægter mig enhver Nydelse? Også det, er Tomhed og ondt Slid.
9 Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labor.
To er bedre faren end een, thi de får god Løn for deres Flid;
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.
hvis den ene falder, kan den anden rejse sin Fælle op. Men ve den ensomme! Thi falder han, er der ingen til at rejse ham op.
11 Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]
Og når to ligger sammen, bliver de varme; men hvorledes kan den ensomme blive varm?
12 And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.
Og når nogen kan overvælde den ensomme, så kan to stå sig imod ham; tretvundet Snor brister ikke i Hast.
13 Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.
Bedre faren er en fattig Yngling, som er viis, end en gammel Konge, som er en Tåbe og ikke mere har Forstand til at lade sig råde.
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.
Thi hin gik ud af Fængselet for at blive Konge, skønt han var født i Fattigdom under den andens Regering.
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.
Jeg så alle, som levede og færdedes under Solen, stille sig ved den Ynglings Side, som skulde træde i Kongens Sted;
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.
der var ikke Tal på alle de Mennesker, han stod i Spidsen for; men heller ikke over ham glæder de senere Slægter sig; nej, også det er Tomhed og Jag efter Vind.
