Ecclesiastes 4
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1 |
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.
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2 |
Wherefore I praised the dead which are
already dead, more than the living which are yet alive.
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3 |
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.
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4 |
Again, I considered all travail, and
every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor.
This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
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5 |
The fool foldeth his hands together,
and eateth his own flesh.
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6 |
Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation
of spirit.
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7 |
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under
the sun.
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8 |
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 labor; neither is his eye
satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labor,
and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
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9 |
Two are better than one; because
they have a good reward for their labor.
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10 |
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.
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11 |
Again, if two lie together, then they
have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
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12 |
And if one prevail against him, two shall
withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
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13 |
Better is a poor and a wise
child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be
admonished.
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14 |
For out of prison he cometh to reign;
whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh
poor.
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15 |
I considered all the living which walk
under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his
stead.
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16 |
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.
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