Ecclesiastes 4

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The Evils of Oppression
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1 Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.1 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.1 Next, I turned to look at all the acts of oppression that make people suffer under the sun. Look at the tears of those who suffer! No one can comfort them. Their oppressors have [all] the power. No one can comfort those who suffer.1 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.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 So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living.2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.2 I congratulate the dead, who have already died, rather than the living, who still have to carry on.2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.2 Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;
3 But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.3 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.3 But the person who hasn't been born yet is better off than both of them. He hasn't seen the evil that is done under the sun.3 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.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 I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind.4 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.4 Then I saw that all hard work and skillful effort come from rivalry. Even this is pointless. [It's like] trying to catch the wind.4 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.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 folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.5 A fool folds his hands and wastes away.5 The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
NASBKJVGWTWEBDBY
6 One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.6 One handful of peace and quiet is better than two handfuls of hard work and of trying to catch the wind.6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.6 Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.
7 Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.7 Next, I turned to look at something pointless under the sun:7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.7 And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
8 There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, "And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?" This too is vanity and it is a grievous task.8 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.8 There are people who are all alone. They have no children or other family members. So there is no end to all the hard work they have to do. Their eyes are never satisfied with riches. But [they never ask themselves] why they are working so hard and depriving themselves of good things. Even this is pointless and a terrible tragedy.8 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.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 return for their labor.9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.9 Two people are better than one because [together] they have a good reward for their hard work.9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.10 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.10 If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is [all] alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up.10 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.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!
NASBKJVGWTWEBDBY
11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?11 Again, if two people lie down together, they can keep warm, but how can one person keep warm?11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?
12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.12 Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.12 If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.12 And if a man overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.13 A young man who is poor and wise is better than an old, foolish king who won't take advice any longer.13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more.13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.
14 For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.14 A young man came out of prison to rule as king, even though he had been born in poverty in that same kingdom.14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.14 For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.
15 I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him.15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.15 I saw all living people moving about under the sun. They sided with the second young man, the king's successor.15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.
NASBKJVGWTWEBDBY
16 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.16 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.16 There was no end to all those people, everyone whom he led.?kings[."> But those who will come later will not be happy with the successor. Even this is pointless.]It's like[ trying to catch the wind.]16 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.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.
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