Eccl 4
1
Then I returned and saw 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 that have been long dead more than the living that are
yet alive;
3
yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him whom has not yet been, who has not seen
the evil work that is done under the sun.
4
Then I saw all labor and every skillful work, that for this a man is envied of his
neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5
The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
6
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after
wind.
7
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
8
There is one that is alone, and he has not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother;
yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches.
For whom then, [says he], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity,
yea, it is a sore travail.
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 whom is alone when
he falls, and has not another to lift him up.
11
Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]?
12
And if a man prevail against him whom 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 knows not how to
receive admonition any more.
14
For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
15
I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second,
that stood up in his stead.
16
There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that
come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after
wind.