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:
4:2 and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living,
as many as are alive until now.
4:3 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.
4:4 And I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's
envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.
4:5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
4:6 Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness
of spirit.
4:7 So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
4:8 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 trouble.
4:9 Two [are] better than one, [seeing] they have a good reward for their
labour.
4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that
is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.
4:11 Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one
be warmed [alone?]
4:12 And if one should prevail against [him], the two shall withstand him;
and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.
4:13 Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows
not how to take heed any longer.
4:14 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.
4:15 I beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second
youth who shall stand up in each one's place.
4:16 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. |
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.
4:2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living
which are yet alive.
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.
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.
4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
4:6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with
travail and vexation of spirit.
4:7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
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.
4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their
labour.
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.
4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be
warm alone?
4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a
threefold cord is not quickly broken.
4:13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who
will no more be admonished.
4:14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in
his kingdom becometh poor.
4:15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second
child that shall stand up in his stead.
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. |