Ecclesiastes 4

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.

I came back and saw all the oppression in the world. I saw the tears of the oppressed, who had no one to comfort them. Their oppressors held all the power, and still the oppressed had no one to comfort them.

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

So I counted the dead, who have already passed on, better off than those who are still living.

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.

Indeed, one who hasn't yet existed, who hasn't witnessed the wicked deeds in this world, is better off than both.

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.

I reflected on all the hard work and every skilful success, and saw that they make others jealous. I realized this too is pointless and frustrating.

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

The ignorant person does nothing, harming himself through his own inaction.

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

It's more peaceful to have a little with calmness, than to have plenty accompanied by stress and a troubled soul.

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

I came back, and I observed the meaningless pursuits in this world.

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.

He stands alone, without kin or companion. His work is endless, his desire for wealth insatiable. He never stops to ask, "Who benefits from my toil, as I deny myself joy?" Such relentless pursuit is futile, a painful struggle indeed.

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

Working together is more beneficial than working alone, for the fruits of shared labor are sweeter.

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.

When one stumbles, their companion will help them rise. But pity the one who falls alone, for there's no one to lift them up.

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

When two people share their lives, they create warmth. But how can one find warmth in solitude?

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

If one person can be easily defeated, two can stand strong together. And a bond of three is even harder to break.

Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

A humble, wise youth is far superior to a stubborn, foolish old king who refuses to accept advice.

For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

From confinement, he rises to rule, while even those born into wealth may fall into poverty.

I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

I pondered all the living beings under the sun, and saw them gather around that second one, the youth who rises to take the king's place.

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.

People are countless, including those from the past. Those who follow won't find joy in him. Truly, this is a futile and frustrating pursuit.