Again, I looked at all the injustices done under the sun.
I beheld the tears of those who were oppressed,
and they had no comforter. On the side of their oppressors
there was power, but they, too, had no comforter.
4:2
Therefore, I deemed the dead, who have already died,
more fortunate than the living, who are yet alive.
4:3
But more fortunate than either is one who has never existed,
who has not seen the evil works done under the sun.
4:4
Again, I saw that all man’s labor and achievement stems from his desire
to be envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
4:5
But the fool who merely folds his hands together, consumes his own flesh.
4:6
Better is a handful of quietness,
than two fists full of travail and vexation of spirit.
4:7
Then I saw another vanity under the sun.
4:8
This is the man alone, with no companion, no children, no brethren,
yet there is no end to all his labor for he is never satisfied with his wealth.
He never thinks, “For whom do I labor, and deprive my soul of good now?”
This also is vanity, and a sore travail.
4:9
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor.
4:10
And if one falls, the other will lift up him up.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help.
4:11
If two lie together, then they have heat. But how can one be warm alone?
4:12
A man alone can be overpowered by another, but two can withstand him.
Three is even better. A three-cord braided rope is not easily broken.
4:13
Better a poor and wise youth,
than an old and foolish king who will no longer listen to counsel.
4:14
The poor and wise youth may come to reign though he has been in prison,
while he who was born to reign may become poor.
4:15
I considered all the living who walk under the sun,
and saw them stand with the young king in the old king’s stead.
4:16
There is no end to all the people he rules,
but those who come later do not delight in him.
Surely this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit, and chasing after wind.