Ecclesiastes


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.