Eccl 4
1
So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold
the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that
oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:
2
and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as
are alive until now.
3
Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil
work that is done under the sun.
4
And I saw all labour, and all the Gr. manliness of work diligent work, that this is a man’s envy from his Gr. companion neighbour.
This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.
5
The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
6
Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.
7
So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
8
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother:
yet there is no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and
for whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil
Gr. distraction trouble.
9
Two are better than one, seeing they have a good reward for their labour.
10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him whom is alone when
he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.
11
Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed alone?
12
And if one should prevail against him, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold
cord shall not be quickly broken.
13
Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to
take heed any longer.
14
For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because he also
that was in his kingdom has become poor.
15
I beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who
shall stand up in each one’s place.
16
There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall
not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.
17
Keep your foot, whenever you go to the house of God; and when you are near to hear,
let your sacrifice be better than the gift of fools: for they know not that they are
doing evil.