Septuagint

iconEcclesiastes

Chapter - 4

1So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold 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.
2The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
3Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
4Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
5Yea, better is he than both they, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
6What profit has a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
7One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
8Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
9The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
10The sun also ariseth, and the sun goes down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
11The wind goes toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
12Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
13Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
14All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again.
15All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
16There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither said he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
17Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
18The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
19Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time, which was before us.
20For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he has not another to help him up.
21Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
22There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
23And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
24Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
25For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
26I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
27There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.