Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 4:1

Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.

Ecclesiastes 4:1 · BSB

side Heb. hand

Ecclesiastes 4:2

So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.

Ecclesiastes 4:2 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:3

But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4:3 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:4

I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:5

The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

Ecclesiastes 4:5 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:7

Again, I saw futility under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4:7 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:8

There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:9

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:10

For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:10 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:11

Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?

Ecclesiastes 4:11 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:12

And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 · BSB

And if This is well illustrated by the fable of the dying father , who , to shew his sons the advantages of union , gave them a bundle of twigs , which could not be broken when bound together , but were easily snapped asunder one by one.

Ecclesiastes 4:13

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.

Ecclesiastes 4:13 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:14

For the youth has come from the prison to the kingship, though he was born poor in his own kingdom.

Ecclesiastes 4:14 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:15

I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one, the youth who succeeded the king.

Ecclesiastes 4:15 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 4:16

There is no limit to all the people who were before them. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:16 · BSB