Ecclesiastes 4

1 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.

And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, and they had no comforter.

2 Therefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.

Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;

3 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.

and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 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.

And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

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

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

6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with toil and vexation of spirit.

Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.

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

And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

8 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.

There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation.

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

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 companion: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him to rise.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up!

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

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

12 And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no longer be admonished.

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.

14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; though also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.

15 I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.

16 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.

[There is] no end of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.