Ecclesiastes, 4

1. Then again, I contemplate all the oppression that is committed under the sun. Take for instance the tears of the oppressed. No one to comfort them! The power their oppressors wield. No one to comfort them!

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.

2. So, rather than the living who still have lives to live, I congratulate the dead who have already met death;

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

3. happier than both of these are those who are yet unborn and have not seen the evil things that are done under the sun.

3. 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. I see that all effort and all achievement spring from mutual jealousy. This too is futility and chasing after the wind.

4. 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 arms and eats his own flesh away.

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

6. Better one hand full of repose than two hands full of achievements to chase after the wind.

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

7. And something else futile I observe under the sun:

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

8. a person is quite alone -- no child, no brother; and yet there is no end to his efforts, his eyes can never have their fill of riches. For whom, then, do I work so hard and grudge myself pleasure? This too is futile, a sorry business.

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 sore travail.

9. Better two than one alone, since thus their work is really rewarding.

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

10. If one should fall, the other helps him up; but what of the person with no one to help him up when he falls?

10. 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 sleep together they keep warm, but how can anyone keep warm alone?

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

12. Where one alone would be overcome, two will put up resistance; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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

13. Better a youngster poor and wise than a monarch old and silly who will no longer take advice-

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

14. even though stepping from prison to the throne, even though born a beggar in that kingdom.

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

15. I observe that all who live and move under the sun support the young newcomer who takes over.

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

16. He takes his place at the head of innumerable subjects; but his successors will not think the more kindly of him for that. This too is futile and chasing after the wind.

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.

17. Watch your step when you go to the House of God: drawing near to listen is better than the offering of a sacrifice by fools, though they do not know that they are doing wrong.

17.