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