CHAP. IV.
1 SO I returned, and considered a all the oppressions that are done under the sun b; and behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no com∣forter c: and on the † side of their oppressors there was power d, but they had no comforter e.
2 Wherefore I praised f the dead which are alrea∣dy dead g, more than the living which are yet alive h.
3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been i, who hath not seen k the evil work that is done under the sun.
4 Again I considered all travel, and † every right work l, that † for this a man is envied of his neigh∣bour m. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together n, and eat∣eth his own flesh o.
6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travel and vexation of spirit p.
7 Then I returned, and I saw † vanity under the sun.
8 There is one alone q, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother r: yet is there no end of all his labour s, neither is his eye t satisfied with riches, neither saith he u, For whom do I la∣bour x, and bereave my soul of good y? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travel z.
9 Two a are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour b.
10 For if they c fall d, the one will lift up e his fel∣low: but wo to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat f, but how can one be warm alone g.
12 And if one prevail against him h, two shall with∣stand him; and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no quickly bro∣ken i.