Ecclesiastes 4

The Preacher considers the oppressions done under the sun and sees that the oppressed have no comforter. He observes that all labor and skillful work spring from envy, that two are better than one, and that a threefold cord is not quickly broken. He notes that even a poor wise child is better than an old foolish king.

v	King James Version	Modern English
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.	So I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun. I saw the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter. On the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.
2	Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.	Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead more than the living who are still alive.
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.	And better than them both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
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.	Again I considered all labor and every skillful work, and saw that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
5	The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.	The fool folds his hands together and eats his own flesh.
6	Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.	Better is a handful with quietness than both hands full with labor and vexation of spirit.
7	Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.	Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
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.	There is one alone, without a second; he has neither child nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labor, nor is his eye satisfied with riches. Nor does he ask, "For whom do I labor, and deprive my soul of good?" This also is vanity; it is a heavy task.
9	Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.	Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
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.	For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
11	Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?	Again, if two lie together, they have warmth. But how can one be warm alone?
12	And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.	And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13	Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.	Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king who will no longer take warning.
14	For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.	For out of prison he comes to reign, while he who is born in his kingdom becomes poor.
15	I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.	I considered all the living who walk under the sun, along with the second child who shall stand up in his place.
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.	There is no end of all the people, of all who were before them. Yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.