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:

And I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and behold, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their oppressors [is] power, and they have no comforter.

2 and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive.

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.

And better than both of them [is] he who has not yet been, in that he has not seen the evil work that has been done under the sun.

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.

And I have seen all the labor, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbor. Even this [is] vanity and distress of spirit.

5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:

6 Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

“Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than two handfuls [with] labor and distress of spirit.”

7 So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:

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.

There is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he has not, and there is no end to all his labor! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and [he does not say], “For whom am I laboring and bereaving my soul of good?” This also is vanity, it is a sad travail.

9 Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labor.

The two [are] better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labor.

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.

For if they fall, the one raises up his companion, but woe to the one who falls and there is not a second to raise him up!

11 Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed [alone?]

Also, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how has one heat?

12 And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.

And if the one strengthens himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who has not known to be warned anymore.

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.

For from a house of prisoners he has come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he has been poor.

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.

I have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who stands in his place;

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.

there is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter do not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and distress of spirit.