Parallel Bible results for "ecclesiastes 4"

Ecclesiastes 4

Common English Bible CEB

1 When I next observed all the oppressions that take place under the sun, I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no one to comfort them. Their oppressors wield power—but they have no one to comfort them.

2 So I declare that the dead, who have already died, are more fortunate than the living, who are still alive.

3 But happier than both are those who have never existed, who haven't witnessed the terrible things that happen under the sun.

4 I also observed that people work hard and become good at what they do only out of mutual envy. This too is pointless, just wind chasing.

5 Fools fold their hands and eat their own flesh.

6 But better is resting with one handful than working hard for two fistfuls and chasing after wind.

7 Next, I saw under the sun something else that was pointless:

8 There are people who are utterly alone, with no companions, not even a child or a sibling. Yet they work hard without end, never satisfied with their wealth. So for whom am I working so hard and depriving myself of enjoyment? This too is pointless and a terrible obsession.

9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work.

10 If either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who fall and don't have a companion to help them up!

11 Also, if two lie down together, they can stay warm. But how can anyone stay warm alone?

12 Also, one can be overpowered, but two together can put up resistance. A three-ply cord doesn't easily snap.

13 A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king, who no longer listens to advice.

14 He emerged from prison to become king, even though during his rule a poor child is born.

15 I saw all who live and walk under the sun following the next youth who would rise to take his place.

16 There was no counting the number of people he ruled, but those who came later aren't happy with him. This too is pointless and a chasing after wind.

English Standard Version ESV

1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them.

2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive.

3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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

6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun:

8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure? ” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.

14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor.

15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king’s place.

16 There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.