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The Blue Letter Bible

Ecclesiastes 4 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:1 -

Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:2 -

So I commended the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:3 -

But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

The Loneliness of Wealth
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:4 -

I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to one person’s jealousy of another. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:5 -

The fool folds his arms

and consumes his own flesh.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:6 -

Better one handful with rest

than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:7 -

Again, I saw futility under the sun:

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:8 -

There is a person without a companion,[fn] without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “Who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself of good things? ” This too is futile and a miserable task.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:9 -

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:10 -

For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:11 -

Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:12 -

And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:13 -

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer pays attention to warnings.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:14 -

For he came from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:15 -

I saw all the living, who move about under the sun, follow[fn] a second youth who succeeds him.

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 4:16 -

There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

CSB Footnotes
Or a feeding on wind, or an affliction of spirit ; also in vv. 6,16
Lit person, but there is not a second,
Lit with
CSB

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.

Additional information is provided here.

For more information on this translation, see the CSB Preface.

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Ecclesiastes Chapter 4 — Additional Translations: