Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 4:1

AMP: Then I looked again and considered all the acts of oppression that were being practiced under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.

ASV: Then I returned and saw 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.

BSB: Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.

DARBY: And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, and they had no comforter.

DRA: I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.

KJV: So 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.

Ecclesiastes 4:2

AMP: So I congratulated and thought more fortunate are those who are already dead than the living who are still living.

ASV: Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

BSB: So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.

DARBY: Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;

DRA: And I praised the dead rather than the living:

KJV: Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

Ecclesiastes 4:3

AMP: But better off than either of them is the one who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

ASV: yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

BSB: But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.

DARBY: and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

DRA: And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.

KJV: Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

AMP: I have seen that every [effort in] labor and every skill in work comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This too is vanity (futility, false pride) and chasing after the wind.

ASV: Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

BSB: I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

DARBY: And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

DRA: Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.

KJV: Again, 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.

Ecclesiastes 4:5

AMP: The fool folds his hands [together] and consumes his own flesh [destroying himself by idleness and apathy].

ASV: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

BSB: The fool folds his handsand consumes his own flesh.

DARBY: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

DRA: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:

KJV: The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

Ecclesiastes 4:6

AMP: One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind.

ASV: Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

BSB: Better one handful with tranquilitythan two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.

DARBY: Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.

DRA: Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.

KJV: Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 4:7

AMP: Then I looked again at vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].

ASV: Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

BSB: Again, I saw futility under the sun.

DARBY: And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

DRA: Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

KJV: Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

AMP: There was a certain man—without a dependent, having neither a child nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity (a wisp of smoke, self-conceit); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy task. [Prov 27:20; 1 John 2:16]

ASV: There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

BSB: There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile — a miserable task.

DARBY: There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation.

DRA: There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.

KJV: There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

AMP: Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor;

ASV: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

BSB: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

DARBY: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

DRA: It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:

KJV: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

Ecclesiastes 4:10

AMP: for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up.

ASV: For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.

BSB: For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

DARBY: For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up!

DRA: If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.

KJV: For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:11

AMP: Again, if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?

ASV: Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]?

BSB: Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?

DARBY: Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?

DRA: And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?

KJV: Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

Ecclesiastes 4:12

AMP: And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

ASV: And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

BSB: And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

DARBY: And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

DRA: And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.

KJV: And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:13

AMP: A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction and counsel (friendly reproof, warning)—

ASV: Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

BSB: Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.

DARBY: Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.

DRA: Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.

KJV: Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

Ecclesiastes 4:14

AMP: for the poor youth has [used his wisdom and] come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

ASV: For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

BSB: For the youth has come from the prison to the kingship, though he was born poor in his own kingdom.

DARBY: For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.

DRA: Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.

KJV: For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

Ecclesiastes 4:15

AMP: I have seen all the living under the sun join with the second youth (the king’s acknowledged successor) who replaces him.

ASV: I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

BSB: I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one, the youth who succeeded the king.

DARBY: I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.

DRA: I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.

KJV: I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

Ecclesiastes 4:16

AMP: There is no end to all the people; to all who were before them. Yet those who come later will not be happy with him. Surely this also is vanity (emptiness) and chasing after the wind.

ASV: There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

BSB: There is no limit to all the people who were before them. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

DARBY: [There is] no end of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.

DRA: The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

KJV: There 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.

Ecclesiastes 4:17

DRA: Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.