Ecclesiastes 4

¹I turned myself to other things, and I saw the false accusations which are carried out under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and that there was no one to console them; and that they were not able to withstand their violence, being destitute of all help.

²And so, I praised the dead more than the living.

³And happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which are done under the sun.

⁴Again, I was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety.

⁵The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying:

⁶“A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.”

⁷While considering this, I also discovered another vanity under the sun.

⁸He is one, and he does not have a second: no son, no brother. And yet he does not cease to labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth, nor does he reflect, saying: “For whom do I labor and cheat my soul of good things?” In this, too, is emptiness and a most burdensome affliction.

⁹Therefore, it is better for two to be together, than for one to be alone. For they have the advantage of their companionship.

¹⁰If one falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up.

¹¹And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person alone be warmed?

¹²And if a man can prevail against one, two may withstand him, and a threefold cord is broken with difficulty.

¹³Better is a boy, poor and wise, than a king, old and foolish, who does not know to look ahead for the sake of posterity.

¹⁴For sometimes, one goes forth from prison and chains, to a kingdom, while another, born to kingly power, is consumed by need.

¹⁵I saw all the living who are walking under the sun, and I saw the next generation, who shall rise up in their places.

¹⁶The number of people, out of all who existed before these, is boundless. And those who will exist afterwards shall not rejoice in them. But this, too, is emptiness and an affliction of the spirit.

¹⁷Guard your foot, when you step into the house of God, and draw near, so that you may listen. For obedience is much better than the sacrifices of the foolish, who do not know the evil that they are doing.

Ecclesiastes 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.