Ecclesiastes, the Preacher

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 4 -

The evil of oppression

So I turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought vnder the sunne, and beholde the teares of the oppressed, and none comforteth them: and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppresse them, and none comforteth them.

Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.

And I count him better then them both, which hath not yet bin: for he hath not seene the euill workes which are wrought vnder the sunne.

Also I beheld all trauaile, and all perfection of workes that this is ye enuie of a man against his neighbour: this also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.

The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.

Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.

Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.

There is one alone, and there is not a second, which hath neither sonne nor brother, yet is there none end of all his trauaile, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doeth he thinke, For whome doe I trauaile and defraude my soule of pleasure? this also is vanitie, and this is an euill trauaile.

Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.

For if they fal, the one wil lift vp his felow: but wo vnto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him vp.

Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?

And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.

The futility of power

Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.

For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.

I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his place.

There is none ende of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this is also vanitie and vexation of spirit. Take heede to thy foote when thou entrest into the House of God, and be more neere to heare then to giue the sacrifice of fooles: for they knowe not that they doe euil.

The evil of oppression

Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.

Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

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

Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.

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

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.

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

If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The futility of power

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

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

I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.