Ecclesiastes 4

1Then 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.Cross-references: Ex 1:13 · Ex 1:16 · Ex 1:22 · Ex 2:23 · Ex 5:16 · Deut 28:33 · +35 more

2Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.Cross-references: Job 3:11 · Eccl 2:17 · Eccl 9:4

3Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.Cross-references: Job 3:10 · Job 3:22 · Job 10:18 · Ps 55:6 · Eccl 1:14 · Eccl 2:17 · +5 more

4Then 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.Cross-references: Gen 4:4 · Gen 37:2 · 1Sam 18:8 · 1Sam 18:14 · 1Sam 18:29 · Prov 27:4 · +10 more

5The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.Cross-references: Job 13:14 · Prov 6:10 · Prov 11:17 · Prov 12:27 · Prov 13:4 · Prov 20:4 · +2 more

6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.Cross-references: Ps 37:16 · Prov 15:16 · Prov 16:8 · Prov 17:1

7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.Cross-references: Ps 78:33 · Eccl 4:1 · Zech 1:6

8There 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.Cross-references: Gen 2:18 · Gen 15:2 · Ps 39:6 · Prov 27:20 · Eccl 1:8 · Eccl 1:13 · +11 more

9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.Cross-references: Gen 2:18 · Ex 4:14 · Num 11:14 · Ruth 2:12 · Prov 27:17 · Hag 1:14 · +6 more

10For 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.Cross-references: Gen 4:8 · Ex 32:2 · Ex 32:21 · Deut 9:19 · 1Sam 23:16 · 2Sam 11:27 · +9 more

11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?Cross-references: 1Ki 1:1

12If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.Cross-references: 2Sam 23:9 · 2Sam 23:16 · 2Sam 23:18 · 2Sam 23:23 · Dan 3:16 · Eph 4:3

13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.Cross-references: Gen 37:2 · 1Ki 22:8 · 2Chr 16:9 · 2Chr 24:20 · 2Chr 25:16 · Prov 19:1 · +3 more

14For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.Cross-references: Gen 41:14 · Gen 41:33 · 1Ki 14:26 · 2Ki 23:31 · 2Ki 24:1 · 2Ki 24:6 · +7 more

15I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.Cross-references: 2Sam 15:6

16There 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.Cross-references: Judg 9:19 · 2Sam 15:12 · 2Sam 18:7 · 2Sam 19:9 · 1Ki 1:5 · 1Ki 1:40 · +5 more