Darby's English Translation

Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes or, The Preacher

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Chapter 4

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. 

 


8

 There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation. 

 


9

 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 

 


10

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

 


11

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

 


12

 And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 

 


13

 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished. 

 


14

 For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom. 

 


15

 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead. 

 


16

 [There is] no end of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind. 

 


Ecclesiastes 5

 

 

 

 

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