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ECCLESIASTES ยท Chapter 4
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.
4:2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the
living which are yet alive.
4:3 Yea, better is he than either of them, which has not yet been,
who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4:4 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.
4:5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
4:6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with
travail and vexation of spirit.
4:7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
4:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither
child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his
eye satisfied with riches; neither says he, For whom do I labour, and bereave
my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their
labour.
4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to
him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.
4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one
be warm alone?
4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a
threefold cord is not quickly broken.
4:13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king,
who will no more be admonished.
4:14 For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born
in his kingdom becomes poor.
4:15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the
second child that shall stand up in his position.
4:16 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.
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