| |
Chapter 4
|
1
|
So 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. |
2
|
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead
more than the living which are yet alive. |
3
|
Yea, better 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
is also vanity and vexation of spirit. |
5
|
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his
own flesh. |
6
|
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the
hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. |
7
|
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. |
8
|
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 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. |
9
|
Two 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 that is alone when he falleth; for he
hath not another to help him up. |
11
|
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but
how can one be warm alone? |
12
|
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand
him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. |
13
|
Better 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
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
|
There 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. |
