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:

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

Therefore I praised the dead, who have been long ago dead, more than 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.

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 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 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 folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

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

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

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

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

Then I turned and saw other vanity 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 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 Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their labor.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for 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 will lift his fellow up; but woe to him who is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to help him up!

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

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

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

And if an enemy prevail against one, two shall withstand him; and a 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 child poor but wise, than a king old and foolish, who will no more be admonished.

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 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 the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

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

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 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.