# Ecclesiastes 4 ## Ecclesiastes 4:1 - [KJV] So I returned, and considered 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. - [ASV] Then 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. - [YLT] And I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and lo, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their oppressors *is* power, and they have no comforter. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:1 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:2 - [KJV] Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. - [ASV] Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive; - [YLT] And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:2 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:3 - [KJV] Yea, better *is he* than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. - [ASV] yea, 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. - [YLT] And better than both of them *is* he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:3 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:4 - [KJV] Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This *is* also vanity and vexation of spirit. - [ASV] Then 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. - [YLT] And I have seen all the labour, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbour. Even this *is* vanity and vexation of spirit. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:4 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:5 - [KJV] The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. - [ASV] The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. - [YLT] The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh: ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:5 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:6 - [KJV] Better *is* an handful *with* quietness, than both the hands full *with* travail and vexation of spirit. - [ASV] Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind. - [YLT] 'Better *is* a handful *with* quietness, than two handfuls *with* labour and vexation of spirit.' ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:6 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:7 - [KJV] Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. - [ASV] Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. - [YLT] And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun: ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:7 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:8 - [KJV] There is one *alone*, and *there is* not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet *is there* no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither *saith he*, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This *is* also vanity, yea, it *is* a sore travail. - [ASV] There 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. - [YLT] There is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he hath not, and there is no end to all his labour! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and *he saith not*, 'For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?' This also is vanity, it is a sad travail. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:8 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:9 - [KJV] Two *are* better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. - [ASV] Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. - [YLT] The two *are* better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labour. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:9 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:10 - [KJV] For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him *that is* alone when he falleth; for *he hath* not another to help him up. - [ASV] For 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. - [YLT] For if they fall, the one raiseth up his companion, but woe to the one who falleth and there is not a second to raise him up! ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:10 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:11 - [KJV] Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm *alone*? - [ASV] Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm *alone*? - [YLT] Also, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how hath one heat? ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:11 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:12 - [KJV] And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. - [ASV] And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. - [YLT] And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:12 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:13 - [KJV] Better *is* a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. - [ASV] Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more. - [YLT] Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:13 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:14 - [KJV] For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also *he that is* born in his kingdom becometh poor. - [ASV] For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor. - [YLT] For from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he hath been poor. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:14 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:15 - [KJV] I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. - [ASV] I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead. - [YLT] I have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who doth stand in his place; ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:15 - ## Ecclesiastes 4:16 - [KJV] *There is* no end of all the people, *even* of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also *is* vanity and vexation of spirit. - [ASV] There 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. - [YLT] there is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter rejoice not in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. ### Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:16 -