קהלת ד

I further observed all the oppression that goes on under the sun: the tears of the oppressed, with none to comfort them; and their oppressors’ power, with none to comfort them.

Then I accounted those who died long since more fortunate than those who are still living;

and happier than either are those who have not yet come into being and have never witnessed the miseries that go on under the sun.

I have also noted that all labor and skillful enterprise come from people’s envy of one another—another futility and pursuit of wind!

[True,]
Fools fold their hands together
And have to eat their own flesh.

[But no less truly,]
Better is a handful of gratification
Than two fistfuls of labor that is pursuit of wind.

And I have noted this further futility under the sun:

the case of a man who is alone, with no companion, who has neither son nor brother; yet he amasses wealth without limit, and his eye is never sated with riches. For whom, now, is he amassing it while denying himself enjoyment? That too is a futility and an unhappy business.

Two are better off than one, in that they have greater benefit from their earnings.

For should they fall, one can raise the other; but woe to someone who is alone and falls with no companion to assist!

Further, when two lie together they are warm; but how can someone who is alone get warm?

Also, if someone attacks, two can withstand it. A threefold cord is not readily broken!

Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer has the sense to heed warnings.

For the former can emerge from a dungeon to become king; while the latter, even if born to kingship, can become a pauper. as a verb; cf. Ps. 34.11.

[However,] I reflected about all the living who walk under the sun with that youthful successor who steps into his place.

Unnumbered are the multitudes of all those who preceded them; and later generations will not acclaim him either. For that too is futile and pursuit of wind.

Be not overeager to go to the House of God: more acceptable is obedience than the offering of fools, for they know nothing [but] to do wrong.