Chapter 4
- 4:1
- So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the
sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no
comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had
no comforter.
- 4:2
- Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living
which are yet alive.
- 4:3
- Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not
seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
- 4:4
- Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man
is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
- 4:5
- The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
- 4:6
- Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail
and vexation of spirit.
- 4:7
- Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
- 4:8
- There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child
nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye
satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my
soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
- 4:9
- Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
- 4:10
- For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is
alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
- 4:11
- Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm
alone?
- 4:12
- And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold
cord is not quickly broken.
- 4:13
- Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will
no more be admonished.
- 4:14
- For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his
kingdom becometh poor.
- 4:15
- I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second
child that shall stand up in his stead.
- 4:16
- There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them:
they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity
and vexation of spirit.