Ecclesiastes - Chapter 4 | King James Version (KJV)

  • 1. So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of {cf15I such as were} oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors {cf15I there was} power; but they had no comforter.
  • 2. Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
  • 3. Yea, better {cf15I is he} than both they, which 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, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This {cf15I is} also vanity and vexation of spirit.
  • 5. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
  • 6. Better {cf15I is} an handful {cf15I with} quietness, than both the hands full {cf15I with} travail and vexation of spirit.
  • 7. Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
  • 8. There is one {cf15I alone}, and {cf15I there is} not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet {cf15I is there} no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither {cf15I saith he}, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This {cf15I is} also vanity, yea, it {cf15I is} a sore travail.
  • 9. Two {cf15I are} better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
  • 10. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him {cf15I that is} alone when he falleth; for {cf15I he hath} not another to help him up.
  • 11. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm {cf15I alone}?
  • 12. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
  • 13. Better {cf15I is} a poor and a 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 {cf15I he that is} born in his kingdom becometh poor.
  • 15. I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
  • 16. {cf15I There is} no end of all the people, {cf15I even} of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also {cf15I is} vanity and vexation of spirit.
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