Read Ecclesiastes 4

World English Bible · 16 verses

1. ¹ Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
2. ² Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
3. ³ Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
4. ⁴ Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
5. ⁵ The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
6. ⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
7. ⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
8. ⁸ There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
9. ⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
10. ¹⁰ For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
11. ¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
12. ¹² If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
13. ¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
14. ¹⁴ For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
15. ¹⁵ I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
16. ¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org