Ecclesiastes/Qohelet 4

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 false accusations which are carried out under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and that there was no one to console them; and that they were not able to withstand their violence, being destitute of all help.
2 So, rather than the living who stil have lives to live, I congratulate the dead who have already metdeath;	2 And so, I praised the dead more 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 happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which 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 was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety.
5 The fool folds his arms and eats his own flesh away.	5 The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying:
6 Better one hand full of repose than two hands ful of achievements to chase after the wind.	6 “A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.”
7 And something else futile I observe under the sun:	7 While considering this, I also discovered 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 He is one, and he does not have a second: no son, no brother. And yet he does not cease to labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth, nor does he reflect, saying: “For whom do I labor and cheat my soul of good things?” In this, too, is emptiness and a most burdensome affliction.
9 Better two than one alone, since thus their work is real y rewarding.	9 Therefore, it is better for two to be together, than for one to be alone. For they have the advantage of their companionship.
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 falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up.
11 Again: if two sleep together they keep warm, but how can anyone keep warm alone?	11 And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person 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 can prevail against one, two may withstand him, and a threefold cord is broken with difficulty.
13 Better a youngster poor and wise than a monarch old and sil y who wil no longer take advice-	13 Better is a boy, poor and wise, than a king, old and foolish, who does not know to look ahead for the sake of posterity.
14 even though stepping from prison to the throne, even though born a beggar in that kingdom.	14 For sometimes, one goes forth from prison and chains, to a kingdom, while another, born to kingly power, is consumed by need.
15 I observe that al who live and move under the sun support the young newcomer who takes over.	15 I saw all the living who are walking under the sun, and I saw the next generation, who shall rise up in their places.
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 people, out of all who existed before these, is boundless. And those who will exist afterwards shall not rejoice in them. But this, too, is emptiness and an affliction of the 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 Guard your foot, when you step into the house of God, and draw near, so that you may listen. For obedience is much better than the sacrifices of the foolish, who do not know the evil that they are doing.