Ecclesiastes 4
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Christian Standard BibleNET 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 again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.
2So I commended the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive.2So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still 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.3But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.
4I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to one person's jealousy of another. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.4Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless--like chasing the wind.
5The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh.5The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.
6Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.6Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind.
7Again, I saw futility under the sun:7So I again considered another futile thing on earth:
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. "Who am I struggling for," he asks, "and depriving myself of good things?" This too is futile and a miserable task.8A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is futile and a burdensome task!
9Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.9Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor.
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, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.
11Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?11Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself?
12And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.12Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded 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.13A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.
14For he came from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.14For he came out of prison to become king, even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom.
15I saw all the living, who move about under the sun, follow a second youth who succeeds him.15I considered all the living who walk on earth, as well as the successor who would arise in his place.
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 to all the people nor to the past generations, yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.
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Ecclesiastes 3
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