Ecclesiastes 4
4
1I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
2And I praised the dead rather than the living:
3And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
4Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighbour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
6Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
7Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
8There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
9It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
10If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
11And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
13Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
15I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
16The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
17Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Ecclesiastes 4
4
Is It Better to Be Dead?
1Again I saw all the people who were mistreated here on earth.
I saw their tears
and that they had no one to comfort them.
Cruel people had all the power,
and there was no one to comfort those they hurt.
2I decided that the dead
are better off than the living.
3But those who have never been born
are better off still;
they have not seen the evil
that is done here on earth.
Why Work So Hard?
4I realized the reason people work hard and try to succeed: They are jealous of each other. This, too, is useless, like chasing the wind.
5Some say it is foolish to fold your hands and do nothing,
because you will starve to death.
6Maybe so, but I say it is better to be content
with what little you have.
Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more,
and that is like chasing the wind.
7Again I saw something here on earth that was useless:
8I saw a man who had no family,
no son or brother.
He always worked hard
but was never satisfied with what he had.
He never asked himself, “For whom am I working so hard?
Why don’t I let myself enjoy life?”
This also is very sad and useless.
Friends and Family Give Strength
9Two people are better than one,
because they get more done by working together.
10If one falls down,
the other can help him up.
But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls,
because no one is there to help.
11If two lie down together, they will be warm,
but a person alone will not be warm.
12An enemy might defeat one person,
but two people together can defend themselves;
a rope that is woven of three strings is hard to break.
Fame and Power Are Useless
13A poor but wise boy is better than a foolish but old king who doesn’t listen to advice. 14A boy became king. He had been born poor in the kingdom and had even gone to prison before becoming king. 15I watched all the people who live on earth follow him and make him their king. 16Many followed him at first, but later, they did not like him, either. So fame and power are useless, like chasing the wind.
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.