Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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 Wherefore I judged those that are dead, to be more happy than such as be alive. 3 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. 4 Again, I saw that all travail and diligence of labour was hated of every man. This is also a vain thing, and a vexation of mind.
Cross References
Luke 23:29
For behold, the days will come, when men shall say, 'Happy are the barren and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.'
Job 3:10-16
because it shut not up the womb that bare me. For then should these sorrows have been hid from mine eyes.
Job 3:22
and search for it more than for treasure. Which also would be exceedingly glad, and rejoice if they found their grave.
Job 10:18-19
Wherefore hast thou brought me out of my mother's womb? O that I had perished, and that no eye had seen me.
Psalm 55:6-11
And I said, "O that I had wings like a dove! For then would I flee away, and be at rest.
Ecclesiastes 1:14
Thus I have considered all the things that come to pass under the Sun, and lo, they are all but vanity and vexation of mind.
Ecclesiastes 2:17
Thus began I to be weary of my life, in so much that I could away with nothing that is done under the Sun, for all was but vanity and vexation of mind:
Ecclesiastes 6:3-5
If a man beget a hundredth children, and live many years, so that his days are many in number, and yet cannot enjoy his good, neither be buried: as for him I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.
Jeremiah 9:2-3
Would God that I had a cottage somewhere far from folk, that I might leave my people, and go from them: for they be all adulterers and a shrinking sort.
Jeremiah 20:17-18
because he slew me not, as soon as I came out of my mother's womb, and because my mother was not my grave herself, that the birth might not have come out, but remained still in her.
Matthew 24:19
Woe shall be in those days to them that are with child, and to them that give suck.