Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 my praise was for the dead who have gone to their death, more than for the living who still have life. 3 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. 4 And I saw that the cause of all the work and of everything which is done well was man's envy of his neighbour. This again is to no purpose and a desire for wind.
Cross References
Luke 23:29
For the days are coming in which they will say, Happy are those who have had no children, whose bodies have never given birth, whose breasts have never given milk.
Job 3:10-16
Because it did not keep the doors of my mother's body shut, so that trouble might be veiled from my eyes.
Job 3:22
Who are glad with great joy, and full of delight when they come to their last resting-place;
Job 10:18-19
Why then did you make me come out of my mother's body? It would have been better for me to have taken my last breath, and for no eye to have seen me,
Psalm 55:6-11
And I said, If only I had wings like a dove! for then I would go in flight from here and be at rest.
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; all is to no purpose, and desire for wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:17
So I was hating life, because everything under the sun was evil to me: all is to no purpose and desire for wind.
Ecclesiastes 6:3-5
If a man has a hundred children, and his life is long so that the days of his years are great in number, but his soul takes no pleasure in good, and he is not honoured at his death; I say that a birth before its time is better than he.
Jeremiah 9:2-3
If only I had in the waste land a night's resting-place for travellers, so that I might go away, far from my people! for they are all untrue, a band of false men.
Jeremiah 20:17-18
Because he did not put me to death before my birth took place: so my mother's body would have been my last resting-place, and she would have been with child for ever.
Matthew 24:19
But it will be hard for women who are with child and for those with babies at the breast in those days.