Ecclesiastes 4

1Then I returned and saw 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.

1Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression that happen in the world: I saw the tears of those who are treated cruelly, and no one was there to comfort them. Their oppressors had all the power, while the victims had no one to help them.

2Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

2So I decided that the dead, who have already died, are better off than the living, who are still alive.

3yea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

3But even better off than both are those who have never been born, because they have never seen the evil things that are done in this world.

4Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

4Then I noticed that all hard work and every great achievement come from a person’s desire to be better than their neighbor. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

5Fools fold their hands and do nothing, and so they starve to death.

6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

6It is better to have only a little with peace of mind than to have a lot by working too hard and chasing the wind.

7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

7Again, I saw another example of something meaningless in this world.

8There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, saith he, do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

8I saw a man who was all alone, with no son or brother. Yet he worked incredibly hard and was never satisfied with the wealth he had. He never asked himself, 'For whom am I working so hard and giving up all my pleasure?' This is also meaningless and a miserable way to live.

9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

9Two people are better off than one, because they can help each other succeed in their work.

10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.

10If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble because there is no one to help them up.

11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?

11Also, if two people lie down together, they can keep each other warm. But how can one person stay warm alone?

12And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

12An enemy might defeat one person, but two people standing together can resist. Also, a rope made of three strands is not easily broken.

13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

13A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who refuses to listen to advice anymore.

14For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

14The young man might have even come from prison to rule, or been born poor within the kingdom he now leads.

15I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

15I saw everyone alive in the world following this young man, the successor who took the king's place.

16There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

16There was no end to the crowds of people he led. But those who come later will not be happy with him either. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.