4:1 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-- and they have no comforter.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 1 , Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-- and they have no comforter.
4:2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 2 , And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
4:3 But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 3 , But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
4:4 And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 4 , And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
4:5 The fool folds his hands and ruins himself.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 5 , The fool folds his hands and ruins himself.
4:6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 6 , Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
4:7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 7 , Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
4:8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. 'For whom am I toiling,' he asked, 'and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?' This too is meaningless-- a miserable business!
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 8 , There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. 'For whom am I toiling,' he asked, 'and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?' This too is meaningless-- a miserable business!
4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 9 , Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 10 , If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
4:11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 11 , Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 12 , Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
4:13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 13 , Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning.
4:14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 14 , The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom.
4:15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 15 , I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor.
4:16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
The NIV Book of Ecclesiastes , Chapter 4 , Verse 16 , There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
