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. 1Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless.
2So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive. 2So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living.
3But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth. 3But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil 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. 4Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
5The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh. 5“Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.”
6Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind. 6And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.” The Advantages of Companionship
7So I again considered another futile thing on earth: 7I observed yet another example of something meaningless 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! 8This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
9Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor. 9Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
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. 10If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
11Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself? 11Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. 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. 12A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. The Futility of Political Power
13A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice. 13It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.
14For he came out of prison to become king, even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom. 14Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison.
15I considered all the living who walk on earth, as well as the successor who would arise in his place. 15But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him.
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. 16Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.
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Ecclesiastes 3
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