Ecclesiastes 4

1Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.[#Jb 35:9; Ec 3:16; 5:8]

2So I admired the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive.[#Jb 3:11-26]

3But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.[#Ec 6:3; Lk 23:29]

The Loneliness of Wealth

4I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man’s jealousy of his friend. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.[#1Sm 18:9; Ec 2:21; Ac 13:45; 2Co 12:20; #Ec 1:14]

5The fool folds his arms[#Pr 6:10; 24:33]

and consumes his own flesh.

6Better one handful with rest

than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.

7Again, I saw futility under the sun:

8There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “So who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself from good? ” This too is futile and a miserable task.[#Lit person, but there is not a second,; #Pr 27:20; Ec 1:8; 5:10]

9Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.

10For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

11Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?[#1Kg 1:1-4]

12And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

13Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer pays attention to warnings.[#Ec 9:15]

14For he came from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.[#Gn 41:14,41-43]

15I saw all the living, who move about under the sun, follow a second youth who succeeds him.[#Lit with]

16There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.[#Ec 1:14]

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Published by: LifeWay Christian Resources
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