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 * .
2. Wherefore I praised * the dead * which are already dead * more than the living which are yet alive.
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. 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 foldeth * his hands together * , and eateth * his own flesh.
6. Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7. Then I returned * , and I 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 sore travail.
9. 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 falleth * ; for he hath not another to help him up * .
11. Again, if two lie together * , then they have heat * : but how can one be warm * alone?
12. And if one prevail * against him, 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 more be admonished * .
14. For out of prison * he cometh * to reign * ; whereas also he that is born * in his kingdom becometh poor * .
15. I considered * all the living which walk * under the sun, with the second child that shall 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.
