English Bible Presentation Sharing - Ecclesiastes Book, chapter 4, verse 21 in Net Version

Ecclesiastes 4 : 1 (NET)

So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 2 (NET)

So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 3 (NET)

But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 4 (NET)

Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless� like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 5 (NET)

The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 6 (NET)

Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 7 (NET)

So I again considered another futile thing on earth:

Ecclesiastes 4 : 8 (NET)

A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is futile and a burdensome task!

Ecclesiastes 4 : 9 (NET)

Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 10 (NET)

For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 11 (NET)

Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself?

Ecclesiastes 4 : 12 (NET)

Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 13 (NET)

A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 14 (NET)

For he came out of prison to become king, even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 15 (NET)

I considered all the living who walk on earth, as well as the successor who would arise in his place.

Ecclesiastes 4 : 16 (NET)

There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations, yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.