Ecclesiastes 4:1
American King James 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.
American Standard Version Then I returned and saw 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.
King James 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.
World English Bible Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
Ecclesiastes 4:2
American King James Why I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
American Standard Version Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;
King James Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
World English Bible Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.
Ecclesiastes 4:3
American King James Yes, better is he than both they, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
American Standard Version yea, better than them both `did I esteem' him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
King James Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
World English Bible Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
American King James Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
American Standard Version Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
King James Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
World English Bible Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:5
American King James The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
American Standard Version The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
King James The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
World English Bible The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
Ecclesiastes 4:6
American King James Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
American Standard Version Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
King James Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
World English Bible Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:7
American King James Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
American Standard Version Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
King James Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
World English Bible Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
American King James There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither said he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a sore travail.
American Standard Version There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, `saith he', do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
King James There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
World English Bible There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.
Ecclesiastes 4:9
American King James Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
American Standard Version Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
King James Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
World English Bible Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
American King James 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.
American Standard Version For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.
King James For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
World English Bible For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:11
American King James Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
American Standard Version Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm `alone'?
King James Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
World English Bible Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?
Ecclesiastes 4:12
American King James And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
American Standard Version And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
King James And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
World English Bible If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:13
American King James Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
American Standard Version Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
King James Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
World English Bible Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.
Ecclesiastes 4:14
American King James For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.
American Standard Version For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
King James For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
World English Bible For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
Ecclesiastes 4:15
American King James I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
American Standard Version I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.
King James I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
World English Bible I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.
Ecclesiastes 4:16
American King James There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
American Standard Version There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
King James There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
World English Bible There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.