Ecclesiastes 4:1-7 in English

¹ Then I returned and saw 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.

² Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

³ yea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

² and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

³ Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ And I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

⁷ So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

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.

² Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet 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.

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.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

⁷ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

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.

² Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet 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.

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.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

⁷ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

¹ So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

² and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

³ Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ And I saw all labor, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbor. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

⁷ So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ Then I returned and saw 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.

² Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive;

³ yea, better than them both did I esteem him which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all labour and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ I thought some more about all the suffering that people are caused to experience on the earth MTY. I saw the tears of people who were ◄oppressed/treated cruelly► and who had no one to comfort/encourage them. Those who oppressed them had power, and there was absolutely no one who was able to comfort those who were being oppressed.

² So I thought that those who are already dead are more fortunate than those who are still alive.

³ And those who have not been born yet are more fortunate than those who are still alive and those who have died, because those who have not been born have not seen all the evil things that are done on the earth.

⁴ I also thought about all the hard work that people do and the skills that they have. And I thought about how they compete with each other because they are envious of others, and I concluded that this also is something that is not accomplishing anything useful, like chasing the wind.

⁵ Foolish people refuse to work; they sit idly, with their hands folded, and do not work. So they ruin themselves.

⁶ So I say, “It is better to be content with not having much money, than to work very hard and try to get a lot of money, which is as useless as chasing the wind.”

⁷ I thought about something else that happens on the earth MTY that seems senseless.

¹ So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

² and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

³ Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ And I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.

⁷ So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

² Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

³ Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

² Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

³ Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

² Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

³ Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all the labour and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and chasing after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ And again I saw all the cruel things which are done under the sun; there was the weeping of those who have evil done to them, and they had no comforter: and from the hands of the evil-doers there went out power, but they had no comforter.

² So my praise was for the dead who have gone to their death, more than for the living who still have life.

³ Yes, happier than the dead or the living seemed he who has not ever been, who has not seen the evil which is done under the sun.

⁴ And I saw that the cause of all the work and of everything which is done well was man's envy of his neighbour. This again is to no purpose and a desire for wind.

⁵ The foolish man, folding his hands, takes the flesh of his body for food.

⁶ One hand full of rest is better than two hands full of trouble and desire for wind.

⁷ Then I came back, and I saw an example of what is to no purpose under the sun.

¹ And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, and they had no comforter.

² Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;

³ and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.

⁷ And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.

² And I praised the dead rather than the living:

³ And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.

⁴ Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:

⁶ Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.

⁷ Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

¹ Then I turned to consider all the ways people oppress others here on earth. Look at the tears of the oppressed—there's no one to comfort them! Powerful people oppress them, and there's no one to comfort them!

² I congratulated those who were already dead, for the dead are better off than those who are still alive and being oppressed.

³ But best of all are those who have never existed—they haven't seen the evil things people do to each other here on earth.

⁴ I observed that every skill in work comes from competition with others. Once again this is hard to understand, like trying to hold on to the elusive wind.

⁵ Fools fold their arms and do nothing—so in the end they're all used up.

⁶ It's better to earn a little without stress than a lot with too much stress and chasing after the wind.

⁷ Then I turned to consider something else here on earth that is also frustratingly hard to understand.

¹ So I turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought vnder the sunne, and beholde the teares of the oppressed, and none comforteth them: and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppresse them, and none comforteth them.

² Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.

³ And I count him better then them both, which hath not yet bin: for he hath not seene the euill workes which are wrought vnder the sunne.

⁴ Also I beheld all trauaile, and all perfection of workes that this is ye enuie of a man against his neighbour: this also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.

⁵ The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.

⁶ Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.

⁷ Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.

¹ But 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.

² Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;

³ but better than they both is he that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful of quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

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.

² Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet 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.

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.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

⁷ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

¹ And I turned about, and beheld all the oppressed that are made so under the sun: and, behold, there are the tears of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and from the hand of their oppressors they suffer violence; and they have no comforter.

² Thereupon praised I the dead that are already dead, more than the living who are still alive;

³ And as happier than both of them, him who hath not yet come into being, who hath not seen the evil-doing that is done under the sun.—

⁴ Again, I beheld all the toil, and all the energy in doing, that it is from the envy of one man of his neighbor. Also this is vanity and a torture of the spirit.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful of quiet, than both the hands full of toil and torture of spirit.

⁷ Then I turned about, and I saw a vanity under the sun.

¹ So I returned, And saw all the oppressions That were done under the sun: And behold the tear of the oppressed, And they had no comforter; And on the side of them that oppressed them was power; But they had no comforter:

² And I praised all the dead that had already died More than the living, As many as are alive until now.

³ Better also than both these Is he who has not yet been, Who has not seen all the evil work That is done under the sun.

⁴ And I saw all labor, And all the diligent work, That this is a man’s envy from his neighbor. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together, And eats his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful of rest Than two handfuls of trouble And waywardness of spirit.

⁷ So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ Then I turned and saw all the oppressions which take place under the sun; and, behold, there were the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and from the hand of their oppressors there was violence, and they had no comforter.

² Therefore I praised the dead, who have been long ago dead, more than the living, who are yet alive.

³ Yea, better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work which is done under the sun.

⁴ And I saw all labor, and all success in work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity, and striving after wind.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a hand full of quietness, than both hands full of weariness and striving after wind.

⁷ Then I turned and saw other vanity under the sun.

¹ Once again I thought about all the oppression that is done under the sun. And behold, the tears of oppressed people, and they had no one to comfort them! Power was in the hand of their oppressors, and there was no one to comfort them!

² So I considered those who are already dead more fortunate than the living, who are still alive.

³ However, more fortunate than both of them is the one who has not yet lived, the one who has not seen any of the evil acts that are done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw that every act of labor and every skillful work became the envy of one's neighbor. This also is vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind.

⁵ The fool folds his hands and does not work, so his food is his own flesh.

⁶ But better is a handful of profit with quiet work than two handfuls with the work that tries to shepherd the wind.

⁷ Then I thought again about more futility, more vanishing vapor under the sun.

¹ Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

² Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

³ Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

² Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

³ Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all the labour and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and chasing after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

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.

² Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.

³ Yes, better is he than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

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

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with toil and vexation of spirit.

⁷ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

¹ Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

² Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

³ Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

² Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

³ Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Then I saw all the labour and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

⁵ The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

⁶ Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and chasing after wind.

⁷ Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

¹ I turned me to other things, and I saw false challenges, that be done under the sun, and the tears of the guiltless, and no man a comforter; and that they destitute, either forsaken, of the help of all men, may not against-stand the violence of them.

² And I praised more dead men than living men;

³ and I deemed him, that was not born yet, and saw not the evils that be done under the sun, to be more blessed than ever either.

⁴ Again I beheld all the travails of men, and busynesses; and I perceived that those be open to the envy of the neighbour; and therefore in this is vanity, and superfluous busyness.

⁵ A fool foldeth together his hands, and eateth his flesh,

⁶ and saith, Better is an handful, with rest, than ever either hand full, with travail and torment of soul.

⁷ I beheld and found also another vanity under the sun;

¹ I turned me to other things, and I saw false challenges, that be done under the sun, (or and I saw much oppression, that is done under the sun), and the tears of the guiltless, and (that) no man (was a) comforter; and that they destitute, either forsaken, of the help of all men, may not against-stand the violence of them.

² And I praised more dead men than living men; (And I praised the dead more than the living;)

³ and I deemed him, that was not born yet, and saw not the evils that be done under the sun, to be more blessed than ever either. (and I judged him, who was not yet born, and saw not the evils that be done under the sun, to be more blessed than either the living or the dead.)

⁴ Again I beheld all the travails of men, and busynesses; and I perceived that those be open to the envy of the neighbour; and therefore in this is vanity, (or and so this is emptiness and futility), and superfluous busyness.

⁵ A fool foldeth together his hands, and eateth his flesh, (or and eateth his meat),

⁶ and saith, Better is an handful, with rest, than ever either hand full, with travail and torment of soul.

⁷ I beheld and found also another vanity under the sun; (I looked and found more emptiness and futility under the sun;)

¹ And I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and lo, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their oppressors is power, and they have no comforter.

² And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive.

³ And better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun.

⁴ And I have seen all the labour, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbour. Even this is vanity and vexation of spirit.

⁵ The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:

⁶ 'Better is a handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.'

⁷ And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun: