Chapter 4

So I returned,¹ and considered⁴ all the oppressions that are done¹² under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed,⁷ and they had no comforter;¹⁸ and on the side of their oppressors⁶ [there was] power; but they had no comforter.¹⁸

Wherefore I praised¹⁸ the dead⁵ which are already dead¹ more than the living which are yet alive.

Yea, better [is he] than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen¹ the evil work that is done⁸ under the sun.

Again, I considered¹ all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

The fool foldeth⁶ his hands together, and eateth⁶ his own flesh.

Better [is] an handful ³⁷⁰⁹ [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit.

Then I returned,¹ and I saw⁴ vanity under the sun.

There 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 satisfied⁴ with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labour, and bereave¹⁸ my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yea, it [is] a sore travail.

Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

For if they fall,⁴ the one will lift up⁵⁵ his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth;⁴ for [he hath] not another to help him up.⁵³

Again, if two lie⁴ together, then they have heat:¹ but how can one be warm⁴ [alone]?

And if one prevail⁴ against him, two shall withstand⁴ him; and a threefold³⁰ cord is not quickly broken.¹¹

Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will¹ no more be admonished.⁹

For out of prison^{7 1004} he cometh¹ to reign;² whereas also [he that is] born⁸ in his kingdom becometh poor.⁶

I considered¹ all the living which walk¹⁸ under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up⁴ in his stead.

[There is] no end of all the people, [even] of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice⁴ in him. Surely this also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.