Ecclesiastes 4 - Compare Translations
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3 translations
Ecclesiastes 4:1
KJVSo I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
WEBThen 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.
YLTAnd I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and lo, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their oppressors [is] power, and they have no comforter.
Ecclesiastes 4:2
KJVWherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
WEBTherefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.
YLTAnd I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive.
Ecclesiastes 4:3
KJVYea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
WEBYes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
YLTAnd 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.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
KJVAgain, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
WEBThen 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.
YLTAnd I have seen all the labour, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbour. Even this [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 4:5
KJVThe fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
WEBThe fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
YLTThe fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:
Ecclesiastes 4:6
KJVBetter is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
WEBBetter is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
YLT`Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than two handfuls [with] labour and vexation of spirit.'
Ecclesiastes 4:7
KJVThen I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
WEBThen I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
YLTAnd I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:
Ecclesiastes 4:8
KJVThere is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
WEBThere 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.
YLTThere is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he hath not, and there is no end to all his labour! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], `For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?' This also is vanity, it is a sad travail.
Ecclesiastes 4:9
KJVTwo are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
WEBTwo are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
YLTThe two [are] better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labour.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
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WEB
YLT
Ecclesiastes 4:11
KJVAgain, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
WEBAgain, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?
YLTAlso, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how hath one heat?
Ecclesiastes 4:12
KJVAnd if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
WEBIf a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
YLTAnd if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:13
KJVBetter is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
WEBBetter is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.
YLTBetter is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more.
Ecclesiastes 4:14
KJVFor out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
WEBFor out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
YLTFor from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he hath been poor.
Ecclesiastes 4:15
KJVI considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
WEBI saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.
YLTI have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who doth stand in his place;
Ecclesiastes 4:16
KJVThere is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
WEBThere 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.
YLTthere is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter rejoice not in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
16 verses compared across 3 translations - KJV, WEB, YLT