4:1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them.
4:1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. Look, the tears of the oppressed--with no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power--with no one to comfort them.

4:2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive;
4:2 And I thought the dead, who have already died, more fortunate than the living, who are still alive;

4:3 but better than both is he who has not yet been, and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
4:3 but better than both is the one who has not yet been, and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

4:4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
4:4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from one person's envy of another. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

4:5 The fool folds his hands, and eats his own flesh.
4:5 Fools fold their hands and consume their own flesh.

4:6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
4:6 Better is a handful with quiet than two handfuls with toil, and a chasing after wind.

4:7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
4:7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun:

4:8 a person who has no one, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.
4:8 the case of solitary individuals, without sons or brothers; yet there is no end to all their toil, and their eyes are never satisfied with riches. "For whom am I toiling," they ask, "and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

4:10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up.
4:10 For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.

4:11 Again, if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone?
4:11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?

4:12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
4:12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

4:13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who will no longer take advice,
4:13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king, who will no longer take advice.

4:14 even though he had gone from prison to the throne or in his own kingdom had been born poor.
4:14 One can indeed come out of prison to reign, even though born poor in the kingdom.

4:15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, as well as that youth, who was to stand in his place;
4:15 I saw all the living who, moving about under the sun, follow that youth who replaced the king;

4:16 there was no end of all the people; he was over all of them. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
4:16 there was no end to all those people whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.