4:1 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.
4:1 Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter--On the side of their oppressors there is power, But they have no comforter.

4:2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
4:2 Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, More than the living who are still alive.

4:3 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.
4:3 Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4:4 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.
4:4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
4:5 The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.

4:6 Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit.
4:6 Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

4:7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
4:7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

4:8 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.
4:8 There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, "For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?" This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.

4:9 Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
4:9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

4:10 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.
4:10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.

4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?
4:11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?

4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
4:12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

4:13 Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
4:13 Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.

4:14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.
4:14 For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom.

4:15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
4:15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place.

4:16 [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.
4:16 There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.