1750 Challoner Revision of the Douay-Rheims (DR)

Ecclesiastes 4

1 Vanity is increased unto men by oppression, 4 by envy, 5 by idleness, 7 by covetousness, 9 by solitariness, 13 by wilfulness.

 4:1 ¶ I 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.

 4:2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:

 4:3 And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.

 4:4 ¶ Again 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.

 4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:

 4:6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.

 4:7 ¶ Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

 4:8 There 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.

 4:9 ¶ It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:

 4:10 If 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.

 4:11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?

 4:12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.

 4:13 ¶ Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.

 4:14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.

 4:15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.

 4:16 The 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.