4:1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, look, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
4:2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive;
4:3 yes, better than them both [did I esteem] him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4:4 Then I saw all labor and every skillful work, that for this a man is envied of his fellow man. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
4:5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
4:7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
4:8 There is one who is alone, and he has not a second; yes, he has neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [he says], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yes, it is an intense travail.
4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his partner; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and does not have another to lift him up.
4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]?
4:12 And if a man prevails against him who is alone, two will withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
4:13 Better is an indigent and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who doesn't know how to receive admonition anymore.
4:14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
4:15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, who stood up in his stead.
4:16 There was no end of all the people, even of all those over whom he was: yet those who come after will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.