Ecclesiastes/Qohelet 4

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Then again, I contemplate al the oppression that is committed under the sun. Take for instance thetears of the oppressed. No one to comfort them! The power their oppressors wield. No one to comfort them!	1 I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
2 So, rather than the living who stil have lives to live, I congratulate the dead who have already metdeath;	2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:
3 happier than both of these are those who are yet unborn and have not seen the evil things that are doneunder the sun.	3 And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
4 I see that al effort and all achievement spring from mutual jealousy. This too is futility and chasing afterthe wind.	4 Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
5 The fool folds his arms and eats his own flesh away.	5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
6 Better one hand full of repose than two hands ful of achievements to chase after the wind.	6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
7 And something else futile I observe under the sun:	7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
8 a person is quite alone -- no child, no brother; and yet there is no end to his efforts, his eyes can neverhave their fil of riches. For whom, then, do I work so hard and grudge myself pleasure? This too is futile, a sorry business.	8 There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
9 Better two than one alone, since thus their work is real y rewarding.	9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
10 If one should fal , the other helps him up; but what of the person with no one to help him up when hefal s?	10 If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
11 Again: if two sleep together they keep warm, but how can anyone keep warm alone?	11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12 Where one alone would be overcome, two wil put up resistance; and a threefold cord is not quicklybroken.	12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
13 Better a youngster poor and wise than a monarch old and sil y who wil no longer take advice-	13 Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14 even though stepping from prison to the throne, even though born a beggar in that kingdom.	14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
15 I observe that al who live and move under the sun support the young newcomer who takes over.	15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
16 He takes his place at the head of innumerable subjects; but his successors wil not think the morekindly of him for that. This too is futile and chasing after the wind.	16 The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
17 Watch your step when you go to the House of God: drawing near to listen is better than the offering ofa sacrifice by fools, though they do not know that they are doing wrong.	17 Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.