Thematic Bible
Ecclesiastes 4:1 (show verse)
I looked again, and I saw all the oppression that occurs under the sun. {I saw the tears of the oppressed-- no one comforts them! Those who oppress them are powerful-- no one can comfort them}!
Ecclesiastes 4:2 (show verse)
So I deemed the dead who have already died more [fortunate] than the living who are still alive.
Ecclesiastes 4:3 (show verse)
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.
No Themes for this verse.
Ecclesiastes 4:4 (show verse)
I also realized that all [of the] toil and all [of] the skillful work that is done--it [is] envy between one man and {another}. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!
Ecclesiastes 4:5 (show verse)
{The fool refuses to work with his hands, so he has nothing to eat except his own skin}!
Ecclesiastes 4:6 (show verse)
Better [is] one handful with peace than two fists full with toil and chasing wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:7 (show verse)
I turned again and saw another vanity under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 (show verse)
Sometimes a man is all alone with no companion; he also has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eye is not satisfied with wealth. [He laments,] "For whom am I toiling and depriving {myself} of pleasure?" This also [is] vanity--it is an unhappy business!
overmuch Care » Vanity of
Company » Those that have no companionship
Covetousness » Is vanity
Eyes » Not satisfied with riches
Labour » fields of activity » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Riches » Described as » Unsatisfying
Toil » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Unsatisfied » Aimless toil
Vanity » Heaping up riches is
Worldly » Labour » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Company » Those that have no companionship
Covetousness » Is vanity
Eyes » Not satisfied with riches
Labour » fields of activity » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Riches » Described as » Unsatisfying
Toil » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Unsatisfied » Aimless toil
Vanity » Heaping up riches is
Worldly » Labour » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Ecclesiastes 4:9 (show verse)
Two [are] better than the one, for they enjoy a better reward for their toil.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 (show verse)
For if one falls, his companion may help him up. But pity the one who falls and there is {no one} to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:11 (show verse)
Also if two lie together, {they can keep each other warm}. But how can one person be warm?
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (show verse)
{Although an assailant may overpower one person, two may withstand him}. A threefold cord {is not easily broken}!
Ecclesiastes 4:13 (show verse)
A poor but wise youth [is] better than an old but foolish king who no longer knows {how to receive advice}.
Ecclesiastes 4:14 (show verse)
For he came out of the prison house to reign, {since he was born poor in his kingdom}.
Ecclesiastes 4:15 (show verse)
I saw all the living who move about under the sun with the youth; the second who will stand in his place.
No Themes for this verse.
Ecclesiastes 4:16 (show verse)
There is no end to all the people, to all who were before him. Yet the later generation will not rejoice in him, for this also [is] vanity and chasing wind!