Ecclesiastes 4 · קהלת

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.

So I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;

but better than both of them is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Again, I considered all labour, and every skill in work, that it comes from a man’s rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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

Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

There is one alone, without a companion; yea, he has neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches: he may say, For whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity; indeed, it is a sorry business.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

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.

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

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; but a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who no longer knows how to take care of himself.

For out of prison one came forth to reign; whilst another in his royal power may become poor.

I saw all the living who wander under the sun – they were with the second child who was to rise up in his stead.

There is no end of all the people who come to acclaim the one who goes before them: yet they who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; to draw near to hearken is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.