Ecclesiastes Capítulo 4

In his search for happiness and the meaning of life, this writer, known as "philosopher" ou "preacher", asks questions that are still present in contemporary society.

American King James Version

4 : 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.

4 : 2 Why I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

4 : 3 Yes, better is he than both they, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 : 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.

4 : 5 The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

4 : 6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

4 : 7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

4 : 8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither said he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a sore 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 fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.

4 : 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

4 : 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

4 : 13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

4 : 14 For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.

4 : 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

4 : 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.