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Ecclesiastes 4
WEB
World English Bible · 2000
KJV
King James Version · 1611
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752
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.
1So 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.
1And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, and they had no comforter.
1I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
2Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;
2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
2Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;
2And I praised the dead rather than the living:
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.
3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
3and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
3And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
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.
4Again, 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.
4And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
4Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighbour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
6Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.
6Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
7And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
7Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
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.
8There 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.
8There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation.
8There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
9It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
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.
10For 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.
10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up!
10If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?
11And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
12And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
12And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord 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.
13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
13Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.
13Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
14For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.
14Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
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 considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
15I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.
15I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his 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 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.
16[There is] no end of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.
16The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.