Ecclesiastes 4

1Then I returnedH7725 and sawH7200 all the oppressionsH6217 that are done under the sunH8121: and, behold, the tearsH1832 of such as were oppressedH6231, and they had no comforterH5162; and on the side of their oppressorsH6231 there was power; but they had no comforterH5162. 2Wherefore I praised the deadH4191 that have been long deadH4191 moreH4480 than the living that are yet aliveH2416; 3yea, betterH2896 than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet beenH1961, who hath not seenH7200 the evilH7451 workH4639 that is done under the sunH8121.

4Then I sawH7200 all laborH5999 and every skilful workH4639, that for this a manH376 is envied of his neighborH7453. This alsoH1571 is vanityH1892 and a striving after windH7307. 5The foolH3684 foldeth his handsH3027 together, and eateth his own fleshH1320. 6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with laborH5999 and striving after windH7307.

7Then I returnedH7725 and sawH7200 vanityH1892 under the sunH8121. 8There is oneH259 that is alone, and he hath not a secondH8145; yea, he hath neither sonH1121 nor brotherH251; yet is there no endH7093 of all his laborH5999, neither are his eyesH5869 satisfiedH7646 with richesH6239. For whom then, saith he, do I laborH5999, and deprive my soulH5315 of goodH2896? This alsoH1571 is vanityH1892, yea, it is a sore travail. 9TwoH8147 are betterH2896 than oneH259, because they have a goodH2896 rewardH7939 for their laborH5999. 10For if they fallH5307, the oneH259 will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. 11Again, if twoH8147 lieH7901 together, then they have warmth; but howH349 can oneH259 be warmH2552 alone? 12And if a man prevail against him that is alone, twoH8147 shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quicklyH4120 broken.

13Better is a poorH4542 and wiseH2450 youthH3206 than an oldH2205 and foolish kingH4428, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more. 14For out of prison he cameH3318 forthH3318 to be kingH4427; yea, even in his kingdomH4438 he was bornH3205 poorH7326. 15I sawH7200 all the living that walkH1980 under the sunH8121, that they were with the youthH3206, the secondH8145, that stoodH5975 up in his stead. 16There was no endH7093 of all the peopleH5971, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoiceH8055 in him. Surely this alsoH1571 is vanityH1892 and a striving after windH7307.