Ecclesiastes 4

1 Again I looked [turned to consider], and I considered [saw and thought about] all the oppression [cruel and unfair treatment, extortion] taking place [done, happening] under the sun [in this world, in life]. I saw [beheld, looked at] the tears [weeping, sorrow] of the oppressed [those treated unfairly, victims], and they had no comforter [no one to comfort, no helper]; the power [strength, control] lay in the hands [control, authority] of their oppressors [those who treat others unfairly], and there was no comforter [no one to provide solace, no helper]. word study 2 So I [praised, congratulated] admired the dead [who have gone to their death, who are already deceased], who had already [long since, in the past] died, above the living [who are yet alive, still breathing], who are still [yet, ongoing] alive. word study 3 But better [more desirable, preferable] than both is he who has not yet existed [not yet been born, never come into being], who has not seen [not perceived, remained unaware of] the evil [bad, wicked, morally wrong] that is done [committed, carried out] under the sun [in this world, on earth]. word study 4 I saw [observed, considered] that all [every, each] labor [trouble, hard work] and success [skill, achievement] spring from [arise out of, are motivated by] a man’s [an individual’s, a person’s] envy [jealousy, rivalry] of his neighbor [fellow, companion]. This too [also, even] is [exists as] futile [vanity, emptiness] and a pursuit [striving, longing] of the wind [something unattainable, elusive]. word study 5 The fool [one who is stupid and silly, rejecting God] folds [embracing, clasping] his hands [an open hand; strength, a side or share] and consumes [eats, devours] his own flesh [his body, his very being, his physical and spiritual nature]. word study 6 Better one handful [with a sense of contentment] with tranquility [quietness, rest] than two handfuls [a full amount, abundance] with toil [trouble, hard work] and pursuit [longing, striving] of the wind [that which is fleeting, unattainable]. word study 7 Again [Then, afterward], I saw [looked, observed, considered] futility [vanity, emptiness, a breath of air] under [beneath, underneath] the sun [the sun; the east or the west]. word study 8 There is a man [solitary] all alone, without even a son [or descendant] or brother [or close relative]. And though there is no end [or conclusion, termination] to his labor [hard work, toil], his eyes [or gaze, vision] are still not content [or satisfied, fulfilled] with his wealth [or riches, possessions]: “For whom [or what purpose, to whose benefit] do I toil [or labor, work diligently] and bereave [or deprive, cheat] my soul [or life, being] of enjoyment [or pleasure, delight]?” This too [or also, likewise] is futile [or vanity, emptiness]—a miserable [or grievous, sorrowful] task [or labor, toil]. word study 9 Two [a pair, double] are better [more advantageous, pleasant] than one [alone, single], because they have a good [pleasant, beneficial] return [reward, wages] for their labor [work, trouble, toil]. word study 10 For if one [alone, by himself] falls down, his companion [fellow, friend] can lift him up; but pity [woe to, have sorrow for] the one who falls [is defeated, stumbles] without another [a second, someone else] to help him up! word study 11 Again, if two [together, in close relationship] lie down [to rest, to sleep] together, they will keep warm [have heat, be comforted]; but how [in what way, by what means] can one [alone, isolated] keep warm [be warmed, feel comfort] alone [by oneself, without help]? word study 12 And though one [alone, single] may be overpowered [conquered, defeated], two [a pair, double] can resist [stand against, withstand]. Moreover, a cord [thread, rope] of three [triple, threefold] strands [twisted together] is not [by no means] quickly [in haste, swiftly] broken [torn apart, severed]. word study 13 Better [more desirable, preferable] is a poor [needy, lacking necessities] but wise [intelligent, skilled] youth [young person, child] than an old [elderly, aged] but foolish [stupid, silly] king [royal person, ruler] who no longer knows [is unable to understand] how to take [receive, heed] a warning [admonition, caution] [to be guided by the wisdom of others]. word study 14 For [because of this reason] the youth [a young man, from prison] has come [emerged, been released] from the prison [a place of bondage, house of prisoners] to the kingship [royal power, reign], though he was born [came into being, begotten] poor [destitute, lacking] in his own kingdom [royal domain, place of authority]. word study 15 I saw [beheld, observed] that all [every single one] who lived [were alive, had life] and walked [moved, proceeded] under [beneath, in the shadow of] the sun [the celestial body] followed [accompanied, went after] this second [another, subsequent] one, the youth [young person, adolescent] who succeeded [took the place of, replaced] the king [ruler, sovereign]. word study 16 There is no limit [no end, infinite] to all the people [nations, multitudes] who were before them [in the past, preceding generations]. Yet the successor [those who come after, later generations] will not be celebrated [rejoice, delighted] by those who come even later [afterwards, in the future]. This too [also, likewise] is futile [vanity, emptiness] and a pursuit [striving, chasing] of the wind [a blast of air]. word study