{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/drb/ecclesiastes/4","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-06-10T02:21:48.527Z"},"reference":{"translation":"DRB","book":"Ecclesiastes","bookSlug":"ecclesiastes","chapter":4,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":3,"nextChapter":5,"totalChapters":12,"totalVerses":16},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"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. "},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"And I praised the dead rather than the living: "},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun. "},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"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. "},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying: "},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind. "},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"Considering I found also another vanity under the sun: "},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"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. "},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society: "},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"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. "},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed? "},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken. "},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter. "},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty. "},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place. "},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"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. "}],"citation":{"inline":"Ecclesiastes 4 (DRB)","markdown":"[Ecclesiastes 4](https://primebible.com/drb/ecclesiastes/4)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* DRB. https://primebible.com/drb/ecclesiastes/4 (accessed 2026-06-10)."}}