Ecclesiastes 4
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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. 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 considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive. 2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth. 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.
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. 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 hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh. 5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind. 6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7So I again considered another futile thing on earth: 7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
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! 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 people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor. 9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
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. 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.
11Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself? 11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken. 12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice. 13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14For he came out of prison to become king, even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom. 14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15I considered all the living who walk on earth, as well as the successor who would arise in his place. 15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
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. 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.
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Ecclesiastes 3
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