4Ecclesiastes 4

1So 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.Select Ecclesiastes 4:1

2Why I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.Select Ecclesiastes 4:2

3Yes, better is he than both they, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. ¶Select Ecclesiastes 4:3

4Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.Select Ecclesiastes 4:4

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

6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. ¶Select Ecclesiastes 4:6

7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.Select Ecclesiastes 4:7

8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither says he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a sore travail. ¶Select Ecclesiastes 4:8

9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.Select Ecclesiastes 4:9

10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.Select Ecclesiastes 4:10

11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?Select Ecclesiastes 4:11

12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. ¶Select Ecclesiastes 4:12

13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.Select Ecclesiastes 4:13

14For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.Select Ecclesiastes 4:14

15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.Select Ecclesiastes 4:15

16There 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.Select Ecclesiastes 4:16