Ecclesiastes · Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Ecclesiastes 4 Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
DRB Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:
2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.
3 And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
3 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.
4 Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
4 Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
5 The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
8 There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
8 There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.
9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.
11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?
12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
12 If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.
14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
14 For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.
16 The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
17 Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.
17 Not in this translation
Cross references (16)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Ecclesiastes 3:16; Ecclesiastes 5:8; Isaiah 5:7; 2 Timothy 4:16–17; Isaiah 51:23
- 2 Job 3:11–26; Ecclesiastes 2:17; Ecclesiastes 9:4–6
- 3 Luke 23:29; Matthew 24:19; Ecclesiastes 6:3–5; Job 10:18–19; Jeremiah 9:2–3
- 4 1 John 3:12; Ecclesiastes 1:14; Ecclesiastes 2:21; Ecclesiastes 2:26; 1 Samuel 18:29–30
- 5 Isaiah 9:20; Proverbs 6:10–11; Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 20:4; Job 13:14
- 6 Proverbs 16:8; Proverbs 15:16–17; Psalm 37:16; Proverbs 17:1
- 7 Ecclesiastes 4:1; Psalm 78:33; Zechariah 1:6
- 8 1 John 2:16; Proverbs 27:20; Luke 12:20; Ecclesiastes 1:8; Matthew 11:28
- 9 Proverbs 27:17; Genesis 2:18; 1 Corinthians 12:18–21; Numbers 11:14; Mark 6:7
- 10 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; Galatians 6:1; Isaiah 35:3–4; Job 4:3–4
- 11 1 Kings 1:1–4
- 12 Ephesians 4:3; Daniel 3:16–17
- 13 Proverbs 19:1; 2 Chronicles 25:16; 2 Chronicles 16:9–10; Proverbs 28:15–16; 1 Kings 22:8
- 14 Psalm 113:7–8; Genesis 41:14; Job 5:11; Lamentations 4:20; Genesis 41:33–44
- 15 2 Samuel 15:6
- 16 Ecclesiastes 1:14; 1 Kings 1:40; Ecclesiastes 2:17; 2 Samuel 15:12–13; 1 Kings 1:5–7
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences