Parallel Bible results for "ecclesiastes 4"

Ecclesiastes 4

Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE

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 neighbour: 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:

8 There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.

9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:

10 If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.

11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?

12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.

13 Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.

14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.

15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.

16 The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

New Revised Standard NRS

1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. Look, the tears of the oppressed—with no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power—with no one to comfort them.

2 And I thought the dead, who have already died, more fortunate than the living, who are still alive;

3 but better than both is the one 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 one person's envy of another. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

5 Fools fold their hands and consume their own flesh.

6 Better is a handful with quiet than two handfuls with toil, and a chasing after wind.

7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun:

8 the case of solitary individuals, without sons or brothers; yet there is no end to all their toil, and their eyes are never satisfied with riches. "For whom am I toiling," they ask, "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 the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.

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

12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king, who will no longer take advice.

14 One can indeed come out of prison to reign, even though born poor in the kingdom.

15 I saw all the living who, moving about under the sun, follow that youth who replaced the king;

16 there was no end to all those people whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.