Geneva Bible (1599)Ecclesiastes 4

¹ So I turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought vnder the sunne, and beholde the teares of the oppressed, and none comforteth them: and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppresse them, and none comforteth them.

² Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.

³ And I count him better then them both, which hath not yet bin: for he hath not seene the euill workes which are wrought vnder the sunne.

⁴ Also I beheld all trauaile, and all perfection of workes that this is ye enuie of a man against his neighbour: this also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.

⁵ The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.

⁶ Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.

⁷ Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.

⁸ There is one alone, and there is not a second, which hath neither sonne nor brother, yet is there none end of all his trauaile, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doeth he thinke, For whome doe I trauaile and defraude my soule of pleasure? this also is vanitie, and this is an euill trauaile.

⁹ Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.

¹⁰ For if they fal, the one wil lift vp his felow: but wo vnto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him vp.

¹¹ Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?

¹² And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.

¹³ Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.

¹⁵ I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his place.

¹⁶ There is none ende of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this is also vanitie and vexation of spirit.

¹⁷ Take heede to thy foote when thou entrest into the House of God, and be more neere to heare then to giue the sacrifice of fooles: for they knowe not that they doe euil.