Ecclesiastes 4

1. So I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: And behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.

2. Therefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;

3. yea, better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4. Again, I considered all travail and every right work for which a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

5. The fool foldeth his hands together and eateth his own flesh.

6. Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of the spirit.

7. Again I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

8. There is one who is alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother, yet there is no end to all his labor. Neither is his eye satisfied with riches; nor saith he, “For whom do I labor and bereave my soul of good?” This is also vanity; yea, it is a sore travail.

9. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

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.

11. Again, if two lie down together, then they have heat, but how can one be warm alone?

12. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threestrand cord is not quickly broken.

13. Better is a poor and wise child, than an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished.

14. For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

15. I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child who shall stand up in his stead.

16. There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them; they also who came after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.