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.
2 Therefore I
praised the dead
who have been long
dead more than
the living who
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.
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.
5 The
fool folds his
hands together
and ruins himself.
6 Better
is a handful,
with quietness,
than two handfuls
with labor and
chasing after wind.
7 Then
I returned and
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.
9 Two
are better than
one, because they
have a good
reward for their
labor.
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.
11 Again, if
two lie together,
then they
have warmth; but how
can one keep
warm alone?
12 If a man
prevails against one
who is alone, 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.
14 For
out of prison
he came out
to be king;
yes, even in
his kingdom he
was born poor.
15 I
saw all the
living who walk
under the sun,
that they were
with the youth,
the other, who
succeeded him.
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.