# Ecclesiastes 4

> Lumin Translation

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/read/ecclesiastes/4

Translated from Hebrew and Greek with AI, then checked for clarity and fidelity.

1. I turned back and observed every oppression under the sun: the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them; their oppressors wielded power, but no comforter for them.
2. So I commended the dead, those already dead, more than the living who still survive.
3. Better than both is the one not yet born, who has not seen the wicked deeds done under the sun.
4. Then I saw all the labor and every skillful accomplishment, for which a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
5. The fool clasps his hands and devours his own flesh.
6. Better a handful with rest than full hands with toil and pursuit of wind.
7. Again I turned and saw futility under the sun.
8. One stands alone, without son or brother, yet his toil knows no limit and riches never content his eyes—for whom do I toil and rob my life of pleasure? This too is futile, a wretched pursuit.
9. Two fare better than one, because they receive good reward for their toil.
10. For if they fall, one can help the other up, but woe to anyone alone when he falls, with no second one to help him.
11. Again, if two lie down together, they get warm, but how can one get warm alone?
12. Though one may overpower a lone person, two together can resist; a three-stranded cord does not break easily.
13. Better a poor wise youth than an old foolish king who accepts correction no longer.
14. From prison he rose to become king, though born poor in his kingdom.
15. I saw all the living who walk under the sun with the second youth who would stand up in his stead.
16. There is no end to the people, even to all who were before him; those who come after will not rejoice in him. This too is vanity and a striving after wind.

## Nearby chapters

[Ecclesiastes 3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ecclesiastes/3.md)
[Ecclesiastes 5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ecclesiastes/5.md)

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