Kohelet 4

Orthodox Jewish Bible

4 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the shemesh, and, hinei, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no menachem (comforter); and on the side of their oppressors there was ko’ach (power); but they had no menachem (comforter).

² Wherefore I praised the mesim which are already dead more than the living ones which are yet alive.

³ Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the ma’aseh harah that is done under the shemesh.

⁴ Again, I considered all amal, and every kishron hama’aseh (skillful achievement), that such is a simple derivative of kinat ish meirei’eihu (the envy of man of his neighbor). This also is hevel, a chasing after ruach.

⁵ The kesil foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own basar.

⁶ Better is a handful with tranquility than both the hands full with amal and chasing after ruach.

⁷ Then I returned, and I saw under the shemesh this hevel:

⁸ There was a man all alone, and there was with him neither ben nor ach (brother); yet there was no ketz (end) to all his amal; neither was his ayin satisfied with osher (riches); neither saith he, For whom do I toil, and deprive my nefesh of tovah? This also is hevel, yea, it is an evil matter.

⁹ Two are better than one because they have a sachar tov for their amal.

¹⁰ For if they fall, the echad will lift up his partner, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

¹¹ Also, if two lie down, then they have chom (heat), but how can one be warm alone?

¹² Though echad may be overpowered, shnayim shall withstand him; and a khoot hameshulash (threefold cord) is not quickly broken.

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise yeled than an old and foolish melech, who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of the bais hasohar he cometh to reign, although he was born a poor man in his malchut (kingdom).

¹⁵ I considered all the living ones which walk under the shemesh in the throng of the yeled, that is, the second one that shall enter into the place of the former [melech].

¹⁶ There is no ketz of kol haAm, all those at whose head he stands; and yet they who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is hevel and striving for ruach.