Eclesiastés/Qohelet 4

BIBLIA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Yo me volví a considerar todas las violencias perpetradas bajo el sol: vi el llanto de los oprimidos, sin tener quien los consuele; la violencia de sus verdugos, sin tener quien los vengue.	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 Felicité a los muertos que ya perecieron, más que a los vivos que aún viven.	2 And so, I praised the dead more than the living.
3 Más feliz aún que entrambos es aquel que aún no ha existido, que no ha visto la iniquidad que se comete bajo el sol.	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 He visto que todo afán y todo éxito en una obra excita la envidia del uno contra el otro. También esto es vanidad y atrapar vientos.	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 El necio se cruza de manos, y devora su carne.	5 The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying:
6 Más vale llenar un puñado con reposo que dos puñados con fatiga en atrapar vientos.	6 “A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.”
7 Volví de nuevo a considerar otra vanidad bajo el sol:	7 While considering this, I also discovered another vanity under the sun.
8 a saber, un hombre solo, sin sucesor, sin hijos ni hermano; sin límite a su fatiga, sin que sus ojos se harten de riqueza. «Mas ¿para quién me fatigo y privo a mi vida de felicidad?» También esto es vanidad y mal negocio.	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 Más valen dos que uno solo, pues obtienen mayor ganancia de su esfuerzo.	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 Pues si cayeren, el uno levantará a su compañero; pero ¡ay del solo que cae!, que no tiene quien lo levante.	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 Si dos se acuestan, tienen calor; pero el solo ¿cómo se calentará?	11 And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person alone be warmed?
12 Si atacan a uno, los dos harán frente. La cuerda de tres hilos no es fácil de romper.	12 And if a man can prevail against one, two may withstand him, and a threefold cord is broken with difficulty.
13 Más vale mozo pobre y sabio que rey viejo y necio, que no sabe ya consultar.	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 Pues de prisión salió quien llegó a reinar, aunque pobre en sus dominios naciera.	14 For sometimes, one goes forth from prison and chains, to a kingdom, while another, born to kingly power, is consumed by need.
15 Veo a todos los vivientes que caminan bajo el sol, ponerse junto al mozo, el sucesor, el que ocupará su puesto.	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 Era sin fin la multitud a cuyo frente estaba; tampoco la posteridad se contentará de él. También esto es vanidad y atraper vientos.	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 Guarda tus pasos cuando vas a la Casa de Dios. Acercarse obediente vale más que el sacrificio de los necios, porque ellos no saben que hacen el mal.	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.