KJ3 Literal Translation
Ecclesiastes 4
Vanity is increased to men by oppression, by envy, by idleness, by covetousness, by solitariness, by willfulness.
1So I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold the tears of those who were oppressed, and there is not for them one who comforts! And at the hand of those oppressing them was power; but there was not one who comforts them.
2And I commended the ones who died, those who already have died, more than the living. that they are still alive.
3Yea, better than both of them is that one who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4And I considered all labor, and every advantage of the work, that it is the envy of a man against his neighbor; this is also vanity and striving after wind.
5The fool folds his hands together and eats his own flesh.
6Better is a palm filled with rest, than two fists filled with labor and striving after wind.
7And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
8There is one alone, and there is not a second; and there is not a son or a brother to him; and there is not an end to all his labor; even his eyes are not satisfied with riches; and he says, For whom do I labor, and my soul be without good? This is also vanity; yea, it is an evil task.
9Two are better than one; because there is a good reward for their labor.
10For if they fall, this one will lift up his companion. But woe to him, the one that falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.
11Also if two lie together, even warmth is to them; but for one alone, how is he warm?
12And if one overpowers him, two shall stand before him; and a threefold cord is not quickly torn apart.
13A poor and a wise child is better than the old and stupid king who does not know to be warned any more.
14For from the house of the imprisoned he goes forth to reign, although in his kingdom he was born poor.
15I saw all the living who walk about under the sun, with the second child who shall stand up instead of him.
16There is no end to all the people, to all who have been before them; also the later ones shall not rejoice with him. Surely this is also vanity and striving after wind.
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