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.