Ecclesiastes 4
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Holman Christian Standard BibleKing James Bible
1Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.1So 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.
2So I admired the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive. 2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun. 3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man's jealousy of his friend. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 4Again, 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.
5The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh. 5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind. 6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7Again, I saw futility under the sun: 7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. "So who am I struggling for," he asks, "and depriving myself from good?" This too is futile and a miserable task. 8There 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.
9Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 10For 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.
11Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. 12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer pays attention to warnings.13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14For he came from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. 14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15I saw all the living, who move about under the sun, follow a second youth who succeeds him. 15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
16There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 16There 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.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Ecclesiastes 3
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