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

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which 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 them both [did I esteem] him which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that 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.

Then I saw all labour and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This also is vanity and a 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 an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind.

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

Then I returned and saw 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 that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

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 labour.

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 up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift 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 warmth: 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 a man prevail against him that is alone, 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 poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

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 he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born 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 saw all the living which walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that 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 of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.