AB - Ecclesiastes - 4

4:1  So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter.

4:2  And I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

4:3  Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

4:4  And I saw all labor, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

4:5  The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

4:6  Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and grasping for the wind.

4:7  So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

4:8  There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth. And for whom do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This is also vanity, and an evil trouble.

4:9  Two are better than one, seeing they have a good reward for their labor.

4:10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.

4:11  Also if two should lie together, they also get heat. But how shall one be warmed alone?

4:12  And if one should prevail against him, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.

4:13  Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

4:14  For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because he also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

4:15  I beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

4:16  There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; and the last shall not rejoice in him; for this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.