Ecclesiastes4

The Preacher observes the pervasive oppression and the tears of the uncomforted, concluding that non-existence is preferable to witnessing such evil. He notes the vanity of labor driven by envy and the emptiness of solitary accumulation, contrasting it with the benefits of companionship. Ultimately, he reflects on the transient nature of power and popular favor, deeming it all vanity and vexation of spirit.

The Misery of Oppression

1
And I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and lo, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their oppressors is power, and they have no comforter.
2
And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive.
3
And better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun.

Envy and the Vanity of Toil

4
And I have seen all the labour, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbour. Even this is vanity and vexation of spirit.
5
The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:
6
`Better is a handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.'

The Futility of Solitary Labor

7
And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:
8
There is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he hath not, and there is no end to all his labour! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and he saith not , `For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?' This also is vanity, it is a sad travail.

The Power of Two

9
The two are better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labour.
10
For if they fall, the one raiseth up his companion, but woe to the one who falleth and there is not a second to raise him up!
11
Also, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how hath one heat?
12
And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.

The Fickleness of Royal Favor

13
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more.
14
For from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he hath been poor.
15
I have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who doth stand in his place;
16
there is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter rejoice not in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
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