Ecclesiastes 4 :: New American Standard Bible 2020 (NASB20)

The Evils of Oppression

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 power^H3581 was on the side^H3027 of their oppressors^H6231, but they had^H369 no^H369 one^H369 to comfort^H5162 them.

Ecc 4:2

Ecc 4:2So I congratulated 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 has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

Ecc 4:4

I have seen^H7200 that every^H3605 labor^H5999 and every^H3605 skill^H3788 which is done^H4639 is the result of rivalry^H7068 between a person^H376 and his neighbor^H7453. This^H2088 too^H1571 is futility^H1892 and striving^H7469 after wind^H7307.

Ecc 4:5

Ecc 4:5The fool folds his hands 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 futility^H1892 under^H8478 the sun^H8121.

Ecc 4:8

Ecc 4:8There was a man without a [fn]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 do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is futility, and it is an unhappy task.

Ecc 4:9

Two^H8147 are better^H2896 than^H4480 one^H259 because^H834 they have^H3426 a good^H2896 return^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 [fn]another 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 resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Ecc 4:13

A poor^H4542 yet wise^H2450 youth^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]instruction^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 those living under the sun move to the side of the second youth who [fn]replaces him.

Ecc 4:16

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

See the NASB20 Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NASB20 Footnotes

Lit second

Lit they fall

Lit a second

Lit have warmth

Lit he

Or warning

Lit stands in his place

New American Standard Bible 2020
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