Ecclesiastes 4 :: Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

The Tears of the Oppressed

Then I looked^H7200 again^H7725 at all^H3605 the acts^H6217 of^H6217 oppression^H6217 which^H834 were being done^H6213 under^H8478 the sun^H8121. And behold^H2009, I saw the tears^H1832 of the oppressed^H6231 and that they had^H369 no^H369 one^H369 to comfort^H5162 them; and on the side^H3027 of their oppressors^H6231 was power^H3581, but they had^H369 no^H369 one^H369 to comfort^H5162 them.

Ecc 4:2

Ecc 4:2So I lauded the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living.

Ecc 4:3

Ecc 4:3But better off than both of them is the one who never has been, who has never seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Ecc 4:4

I have seen^H7200 that every^H3605 labor^H5999 and every^H3605 success^H3788 of the work^H4639 is the result of jealousy^H7068 between a man^H376 and his neighbor^H7453. This^H2088 too^H1571 is [fn]vanity^H1892 and striving^H7469 after wind^H7307.

Ecc 4:5

Ecc 4:5The fool folds his hands in embrace and consumes his own flesh.

Ecc 4:6

Ecc 4:6One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Ecc 4:7

Then I looked^H7200 again^H7725 at vanity^H1892 under^H8478 the sun^H8121.

Ecc 4:8

Ecc 4:8There was a certain man without a second man, 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 for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of good?” This too is vanity, and it is a grievous endeavor.

Ecc 4:9

Two^H8147 are better^H2896 than^H4480 one^H259 because^H834 they have^H3426 good^H2896 wages^H7725 for their labor^H5999.

Ecc 4:10

Ecc 4:10For if [fn]either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not a second one to lift him up.

Ecc 4:11

Ecc 4:11Furthermore, if two lie down together they [fn]keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

Ecc 4:12

Ecc 4:12And if [fn]one can overpower him who is alone, two can stand against him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Ecc 4:13

A poor^H4542 yet wise^H2450 lad^H3206 is better^H2896 than^H4480 an old^H2205 and foolish^H3684 king^H4428 who^H834 no^H3808 longer^H5750 knows^H3045 how to receive^H2094 [fn]warning^H2094.

Ecc 4:14

Ecc 4:14For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

Ecc 4:15

Ecc 4:15I have seen all the living who walk about under the sun go along with the second lad who stands in place of him.

Ecc 4:16

Ecc 4:16There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be glad with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.