ASV

Ecclesiastes 4

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¹Then 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.

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

³yea, 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.

⁴Then 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.

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

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

⁷Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

⁸There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

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

¹⁰For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.

¹¹Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone] ?

¹²And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

¹³Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

¹⁶There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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Afflictions and Adversities: Consolation In Ecclesiastes 4:1

Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.

Avarice: General Scriptures Concerning Ecclesiastes 4:7, 8

Again, I saw futility under the sun. / There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

Being Alone Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

Care: Worldly Ecclesiastes 4:8

There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

Children: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Ecclesiastes 4:13

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.

Competition Ecclesiastes 4:4

I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Consolation Under Affliction is Sought in Vain from the World Ecclesiastes 4:1

Contentment: General Scriptures Concerning Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.

Cord of Friendship Ecclesiastes 4:12

And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Covetousness is Vanity Ecclesiastes 4:8

Covetousness: General Scriptures Concerning Ecclesiastes 4:8

Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Ecclesiastes 4:2

So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.

Envy: Excited by Good Deeds of Others Ecclesiastes 4:4

I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Envy: General Scriptures Concerning Ecclesiastes 4:4

I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Fellowship: General Scriptures Concerning Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! / Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?