Ecclesiastes 4:1-10 ▼

1 And I turned back, and I shall see all the oppressions which are doing under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and none comforting to them; and from the hand of those oppressing them was power, and none comforting to them.

2 And I praise the dead already dead more than the living they yet living.

3 And good above them two which were not yet, which saw not the evil work which was done under the sun.

4 And I saw all the labor and all the success of the work, for this the jealousy of a man from his neighbor. Also this is vanity and striving of spirit.

5 The foolish one folded his hands together, and ate his flesh.

6 Good a hand filled with rest, above two hands full of labor and striving of spirit.

7 And I turned back, and I shall see vanity under the sun.

8 There is one, and not a second; also a son and brother not to him: and no end to all his labor; also his eye shall not be satisfied with riches: and for whom do I labor and diminish my soul from good? Also this is vanity, and it is an evil labor.

9 Two are good above one, because there is to them a good reward in their labor.

10 For if they shall fall, the one will raise up his companion: and wo to him, the one that shall fall, and not a second to raise him up.