Eccl.4.1
So I returned, and considered 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.
Eccl.4.1
Next I turned my attention to all the outrageous violence that takes place on this planet--the tears of the victims, no one to comfort them; the iron grip of oppressors, no one to rescue the victims from them.
Eccl.4.1
Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors- and they have no comforter.
Eccl.4.1
Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter-- On the side of their oppressors there is power, But they have no comforter.
Eccl.4.1
Again I observed all the oppression that takes place in our world. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and the victims are helpless.
Eccl.4.2
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
Eccl.4.2
So I congratulated the dead who are already dead instead of the living who are still alive.
Eccl.4.2
And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
Eccl.4.2
Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, More than the living who are still alive.
Eccl.4.2
So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living.
Eccl.4.3
Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Eccl.4.3
But luckier than the dead or the living is the person who has never even been, who has never seen the bad business that takes place on this earth.
Eccl.4.3
But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
Eccl.4.3
Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Eccl.4.3
And most fortunate of all are those who were never born. For they have never seen all the evil that is done in our world.
Eccl.4.4
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
Eccl.4.4
Then I observed all the work and ambition motivated by envy. What a waste! Smoke. And spitting into the wind.
Eccl.4.4
And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Eccl.4.4
Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
Eccl.4.4
Then I observed that most people are motivated to success by their envy of their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.
Eccl.4.5
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Eccl.4.5
The fool sits back and takes it easy, His sloth is slow suicide.
Eccl.4.5
The fool folds his hands and ruins himself.
Eccl.4.5
The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.
Eccl.4.5
Foolish people refuse to work and almost starve.
Eccl.4.6
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Eccl.4.6
One handful of peaceful repose Is better than two fistfuls of worried work--More spitting into the wind.
Eccl.4.6
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Eccl.4.6
Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
Eccl.4.6
They feel it is better to be lazy and barely survive than to work hard, especially when in the long run everything is so futile.
Eccl.4.7
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Eccl.4.7
I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness:
Eccl.4.7
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
Eccl.4.7
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
Eccl.4.7
I observed yet another example of meaninglessness in our world.
Eccl.4.8
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
Eccl.4.8
a solitary person, completely alone--no children, no family, no friends--yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, "Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?" More smoke. A bad business.
Eccl.4.8
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless- a miserable business!
Eccl.4.8
There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, "For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?" This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.
Eccl.4.8
This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, "Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Eccl.4.9
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Eccl.4.9
It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth.
Eccl.4.9
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
Eccl.4.9
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.
Eccl.4.9
Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor.
Eccl.4.10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Eccl.4.10
And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough!
Eccl.4.10
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Eccl.4.10
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
Eccl.4.10
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.
Eccl.4.11
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
Eccl.4.11
Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night.
Eccl.4.11
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Eccl.4.11
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
Eccl.4.11
And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone?
Eccl.4.12
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Eccl.4.12
By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped. [JC]
Eccl.4.12
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Eccl.4.12
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Eccl.4.12
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Eccl.4.13
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
Eccl.4.13
A poor youngster with some wisdom is better off than an old but foolish king who doesn't know which end is up.
Eccl.4.13
Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning.
Eccl.4.13
Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.
Eccl.4.13
It is better to be a poor but wise youth than to be an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.
Eccl.4.14
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
Eccl.4.14
I saw a youth just like this start with nothing and go from rags to riches,
Eccl.4.14
The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom.
Eccl.4.14
For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom.
Eccl.4.14
Such a youth could come from prison and succeed. He might even become king, though he was born in poverty.
Eccl.4.15
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
Eccl.4.15
and I saw everyone rally to the rule of this young successor to the king.
Eccl.4.15
I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor.
Eccl.4.15
I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place.
Eccl.4.15
Everyone is eager to help such a youth, even to help him take the throne.
Eccl.4.16
There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Eccl.4.16
Even so, the excitement died quickly, the throngs of people soon lost interest. Can't you see it's only smoke? And spitting into the wind?
Eccl.4.16
There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Eccl.4.16
There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
Eccl.4.16
He might become the leader of millions and be very popular. But then the next generation grows up and rejects him! So again, it is all meaningless, like chasing the wind.
