Parallel Verses
The Emphasized Bible
and, as better than both, him who had not yet come into being, - who had not seen the vexatious work, which was done under the sun.
New American Standard Bible
But
King James Version
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.
Holman Bible
But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed,
International Standard Version
Better than both of them is someone who has not yet been born, because he hasn't experienced evil on earth.
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.
Amplified
But better off than either of them is the one who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
Bible in Basic English
Yes, happier than the dead or the living seemed he who has not ever been, who has not seen the evil which is done under the sun.
Darby Translation
and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Julia Smith Translation
And good above them two which were not yet, which saw not the evil work which was done under the sun.
King James 2000
Yea, better is he than both, who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Lexham Expanded Bible
But better [off] than both of them is the one who has not yet been born and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
Modern King James verseion
Yea, better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Yea, him that is yet unborn to be better at ease than they both, because he seeth not the miserable works that are done under the Sun.
NET Bible
But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.
New Heart 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.
Webster
Yes, better is he than both they, who 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.
Youngs Literal Translation
And better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun.
Interlinear
Towb
Sh@nayim
Ra'ah
References
Fausets
Word Count of 19 Translations in Ecclesiastes 4:3
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Existence Of Oppression In The World Makes Human Existence Miserable
2 So, I, pronounced happy the dead, who were, already, dead, - more than the living, who were living, still; 3 and, as better than both, him who had not yet come into being, - who had not seen the vexatious work, which was done under the sun. 4 Then saw, I, all the toil and all the skill of the work, that, for this, a man was envied of his neighbour, - even this, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.
Cross References
Luke 23:29
For lo! days are coming, in which they will say - Happy the barren! even the wombs that never bare, and the breasts that never gave suck.
Job 3:10-16
Because it closed not the doors of the womb wherein I was, and so hid trouble from mine eyes.
Job 3:22
Who rejoice unto exultation, Are glad, when they can find the grave:
Job 10:18-19
Wherefore then, from the womb, didst thou bring me forth? I might have breathed my last, and, no eye, have seen me.
Psalm 55:6-11
Then I said - Oh that there were given me a pinion, like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest:
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I saw all the works which were done under the sun, - and lo! all, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:17
Therefore I hated life, for, a vexation unto me, was the work which was done under the sun, - for, all, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.
Ecclesiastes 6:3-5
Though a man should beget a hundred children, and live, many years, so that many should be the days of his years but, his own soul, should not be satisfied with the good, and he should not even have, a burial, I said, Better than he, is an untimely birth!
Jeremiah 9:2-3
Oh that I had in the wilderness, a wayfarers lodge, That I might leave my people, and go from them, - For they all, are Adulterers, An assemblage of traitors;
Jeremiah 20:17-18
Because I was not slain from the womb, - Nor did my mother become my grave, Nor was her womb great for ever!
Matthew 24:19
But alas! for the women with child, and for them that are giving suck, in those days;