Ecclesiastes 4
4
Death is better than oppression
1When I next observed all the oppressions that take place under the sun, I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no one to comfort them. Their oppressors wield power—but they have no one to comfort them. 2So I declare that the dead, who have already died, are more fortunate than the living, who are still alive. 3But happier than both are those who have never existed, who haven’t witnessed the terrible things that happen under the sun.
Envy and loneliness
4I also observed that people work hard and become good at what they do only out of mutual envy. This too is pointless, just wind chasing.
5Fools fold their hands and eat their own flesh.
6But better is resting with one handful
than working hard for two fistfuls and chasing after wind.
7Next, I saw under the sun something else that was pointless: 8There are people who are utterly alone, with no companions, not even a child or a sibling. Yet they work hard without end, never satisfied with their wealth. So for whom am I working so hard and depriving myself of enjoyment? This too is pointless and a terrible obsession.
9Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work. 10If either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who fall and don’t have a companion to help them up! 11Also, if two lie down together, they can stay warm. But how can anyone stay warm alone? 12Also, one can be overpowered, but two together can put up resistance. A three-ply cord doesn’t easily snap.
13A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king, who no longer listens to advice. 14He emerged from prison to become king, even though during his rule a poor child#4.14 Possibly the youth of 4:13; or He emerged from prison to become king, even though he was born poor in the kingdom. is born. 15I saw all who live and walk under the sun following the next youth who would rise to take his place. 16There was no counting the number of people he ruled, but those who came later aren’t happy with him. This too is pointless and a chasing after wind.
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2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
Ecclesiastes 4
4
1So 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. 2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. 3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4Again, 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. 5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8There 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. 9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For 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. 11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. 14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 16There 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.
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