Ecclesiastes 4

1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

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.

2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

3 Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Yea, better [is he] than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

5 The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

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

6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit.

7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

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

8 There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.

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 sore travail.

9 Two are better than one, because 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 who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another 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; for [he hath] not another to help him up.

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

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

12 If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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

13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

14 For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.

15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

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

16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

[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.