4:1 So 1 I again considered 2 all the oppression 3 that continually occurs 4 on earth. 5
This is what I saw: 6
The oppressed 7 were in tears, 8 but no one was comforting them;
no one delivers 9 them from the power of their oppressors. 10
4:2 So I considered 11 those who are dead and gone 12
more fortunate than those who are still alive. 13
4:3 But better than both is the one who has not been born 14
and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth. 15
4:4 Then I considered 16 all the skillful work 17 that is done:
Surely it is nothing more than 18 competition 19 between one person and another. 20
This also is profitless – like 21 chasing the wind.
4:5 The fool folds his hands and does no work, 22
so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh. 23
4:6 Better is one handful with some rest
than two hands full of toil 24 and chasing the wind.
4:7 So 25 I again considered 26 another 27 futile thing on earth: 28
4:8 A man who is all alone with no companion, 29
he has no children nor siblings; 30
yet there is no end to all his toil,
and he 31 is never satisfied with riches.
He laments, 32 “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself 33 of pleasure?” 34
This also is futile and a burdensome task! 35
4:9 Two people are better than one,
because they can reap 36 more benefit 37 from their labor.
4:10 For if they fall, one will help his companion up,
but pity 38 the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.
4:11 Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm,
but how can one person keep warm by himself?
4:12 Although an assailant may overpower 39 one person,
two can withstand him.
Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.
4:13 A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king
who no longer knows how to receive advice.
4:14 For he came out of prison 40 to become king,
even though he had been born poor in what would become his 41 kingdom.