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4:1  Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.
4:2  So I admired the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive.
4:3  But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.
4:4  I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man's jealousy of his friend. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
4:5  The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh.
4:6  Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.
4:7  Again, I saw futility under the sun:
4:8  There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. "So who am I struggling for," he asks, "and depriving myself from good?" This too is futile and a miserable task.
4:9  Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.
4:10  For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.
4:11  Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?
4:12  And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
4:13  Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer pays attention to warnings.
4:14  For he came from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.
4:15  I saw all the living, who move about under the sun, follow a second youth who succeeds him.
4:16  There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.