Ecclesiastes

Chapter 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 ¶ So I (589) returned, {7725} <8804> and considered {7200} <8799> (853) all (3605) the oppressions {6217} that (834) are done {6213} <8737> under (8478) the sun: {8121} and behold (2009) the tears {1832} of [such as were] oppressed, [6231] <8803> (6217) and they had no (369) comforter; {5162} <8764> and on the side {3027} (4480) of their oppressors {6231} <8802> [there was] power; {3581} but they had no (369) comforter. {5162} <8764>

4:2 Wherefore I (589) praised {7623} <8764> (853) the dead {4191} <8801> which are already {3528} (7945) dead {4191} <8804> more than (4480) the living {2416} which (834) (1992) are yet {5728} alive. {2416}

4:3 Yea, better {2896} [is he] than both {8147} (4480) they, (853) which (834) hath not (3808) yet {5728} been, (1961) who (834) hath not (3808) seen {7200} <8804> (853) the evil {7451} work {4639} that (834) is done {6213} <8738> under (8478) the sun. {8121}

4:4 ¶ Again, I (589) considered {7200} <8804> (853) all (3605) travail, {5999} and every (3605) right {3788} work, {4639} that (3588) for this (1931) a man {376} is envied {7068} of his neighbour. {7453} (4480) This (2088) [is] also (1571) vanity {1892} and vexation {7469} of spirit. {7307}

4:5 The fool {3684} foldeth [2263] <0> his hands [3027] together, {2263} <8802> (853) (3027) and eateth {398} <8802> (853) his own flesh. {1320}

4:6 Better {2896} [is] an handful {3709} (4480) (4393) [with] quietness, {5183} than both the hands {2651} full {4393} (4480) [with] travail {5999} and vexation {7469} of spirit. {7307}

4:7 ¶ Then I (589) returned, {7725} <8804> and I saw {7200} <8799> vanity {1892} under (8478) the sun. {8121}

4:8 There is {3426} one {259} [alone], and [there is] not (369) a second; {8145} yea, (1571) he hath neither (369) child {1121} nor brother: {251} yet [is there] no (369) end {7093} of all (3605) his labour; {5999} neither (3808) is his eye {5869} satisfied {7646} <8799> with riches; {6239} neither [saith he], For whom (4310) do I (589) labour, {6001} and bereave {2637} <8764> (853) my soul {5315} of good? {2896} (4480) This (2088) [is] also (1571) vanity, {1892} yea, it (1931) [is] a sore {7451} travail. {6045}

4:9 ¶ Two {8147} [are] better {2896} than (4480) one; {259} because (834) they have {3426} a good {2896} reward {7939} for their labour. {5999}

4:10 For (3588) if (518) they fall, {5307} <8799> the one {259} will lift up {6965} <8686> (853) his fellow: {2270} but woe {337} to him [that is] alone {259} when he falleth; {5307} <8799> (7945) for [he hath] not (369) another {8145} to help him up. {6965} <8687>

4:11 Again, {1571} if (518) two {8147} lie together, {7901} <8799> then they have heat: {2552} <8804> but how (349) can one {259} be warm {3179} <8799> [alone]?

4:12 And if (518) one {259} prevail [8630] <8799> against (8630) him, two {8147} shall withstand {5975} <8799> (5048) him; and a threefold {8027} <8794> cord {2339} is not (3808) quickly {4120} broken. {5423} <8735>

4:13 ¶ Better {2896} [is] a poor {4542} and a wise {2450} child {3206} than an old {2205} and foolish {3684} king, {4428} (4480) who (834) will {3045} <8804> no (3808) more (5750) be admonished. {2094} <8736>

4:14 For (3588) out of prison {631} {1004} <8803> (4480) he cometh {3318} <8804> to reign; {4427} <8800> whereas (3588) also (1571) [he that is] born {3205} <8738> in his kingdom {4438} becometh poor. {7326} <8802>

4:15 I considered {7200} <8804> (853) all (3605) the living {2416} which walk {1980} <8764> under (8478) the sun, {8121} with (5973) the second {8145} child {3206} that (834) shall stand up {5975} <8799> in his stead. (8478)

4:16 [There is] no (369) end {7093} of all (3605) the people, {5971} [even] of all (3605) that (834) have been (1961) before {6440} them: they also (1571) that come after {314} shall not (3808) rejoice {8055} <8799> in him. Surely (3588) this (2088) also (1571) [is] vanity {1892} and vexation {7475} of spirit. {7307}