Ecclesiastes 4:1–8

¹⁶¶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

¹⁶¶ And moreouer, I sawe vnder the Sunne the place of iudgement, that wickednesse was there; and the place of righteousnesse, that iniquitie was there.

⁸¶ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

⁸¶ ^†If thou seest the oppression of the poore, and violent peruerting of iudgement, and iustice in a prouince, maruell not at the matter: for he that is higher then the highest, regardeth, and there be higher then they.

¹⁶At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

¹⁷Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

¹⁶At my first answere no man stood with mee, but all men forsooke mee: I pray God that it may not bee laid to their charge.

¹⁷Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fully knowen, and that all the Gentiles might heare: and I was deliuered out of the mouth of the Lyon.

⁷For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

^7††For the Uineyard of the LORD of hostes is the house of Israel, and the men of Iudah his pleasant plant: and he looked for iudgement, but beholde oppression; for righteousnesse, but behold a crie.

²³But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

²³But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee: which haue said to thy soule, Bow downe that wee may goe ouer: and thou hast laide thy body as the ground, and as the streete to them that went ouer.

¹³In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

¹⁴And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

¹⁵Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

¹³In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and reuolt, conceiuing and vttering from the heart words of falshood.

¹⁴And iudgement is turned away backward, and iustice standeth a farre off: for truth is fallen in the streete, and equitie cannot enter.

^15‖†Yea truth faileth, and he that departeth from euill maketh himselfe a pray: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him, that there was no iudgement.

⁴Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

⁴Beholde, the hire of the labourers which haue reaped downe your fieldes, which is of you kept backe by fraud, cryeth: and the cryes of them which haue reaped, are entred into the eares of the Lord of Sabaoth.

⁹By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

⁹By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to crie: they crie out by reason of the arme of the mightie.

²She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.

²Shee ^*weepeth sore in the ^*night, and her teares are on her cheekes: among all her louers she hath none to comfort her, all her friends haue dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.

⁹Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O Lord, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.

⁹Her filthines is in her skirts, she remembreth not her last end, therfore she came downe wonderfully: shee had no comforter: O LORD, behold my affliction: for y ^e enemie hath magnified himselfe.

⁵And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.

^5‖And I will come neere to you to iudgement, and I will bee a swift witnesse against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppresse the hireling in his wages, the widowe, and the fatherlesse, and that turne aside the stranger from his right, and feare not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

⁵⁶But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

⁵⁶But all this was done, that the ^*Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the Disciples forsooke him, and fled:

⁵For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

^5‖For the oppression of the poore, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise (saith the LORD,) I will set him in safetie from him that puffeth at him.

³My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

^3*My teares haue bene my meate day and night; while they continually say vnto me, Where is thy God?

⁹I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

⁹I will say vnto God, My rocke, why hast thou forgotten me? why goe I mourning, because of the oppression of the enemy?

⁷Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

^7*†Their feete runne to euill, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, wasting & destruction are in their paths.

³³The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:

³³The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not, eate vp: and thou shalt be onely oppressed and crushed alway:

⁴⁸Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

⁴⁸Therefore shalt thou serue thine enemies, which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakednesse, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron vpon thy necke, vntill he haue destroyed thee.

⁷¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

⁷¶ ^*Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad: and a gift destroyeth the heart.

¹³And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:

¹⁴And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

¹³And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serue with rigour.

¹⁴And they made their liues bitter, with hard bondage, in morter and in bricke, and in all maner of seruice in the fielde: all their seruice wherein they made them serue, was with rigour.

¹⁶And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

¹⁶And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew-women, and see them vpon the stooles, if it be a sonne, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then shee shall liue.

²²And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

²²And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Euery sonne that is borne, yee shall cast into the riuer, and euery daughter ye shall saue aliue.

²³¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

²⁴And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

²³¶ And it came to passe in processe of time, that the king of Egypt died, and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came vp vnto God, by reason of the bondage.

²⁴And God heard their groning, and God remembred his ^*Couenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Iacob.

¹⁶There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.

¹⁷But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.

¹⁸Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

¹⁹And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

¹⁶There is no straw giuen vnto thy seruants, and they say to vs, Make bricke: and beholde, thy seruants are beaten; but the fault is in thine owne people.

¹⁷But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let vs goe and doe sacrifice to the LORD.

¹⁸Goe therefore now and worke: for there shall no straw bee giuen you, yet shall ye deliuer the tale of brickes.

¹⁹And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in euill case, after it was said, Yee shall not minish ought from your brickes of your dayly taske.

⁴I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

⁴I also could speake as yee doe: if your soule were in my soules stead, I could heape vp words against you, and shake mine head at you.

²¹Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

²²Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?

²¹Haue pity vpon me, haue pitie vpon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

²²Why doe ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?

⁷They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.

⁸They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter.

⁹They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.

¹⁰They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry;

¹¹Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.

¹²Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.

⁷They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they haue no couering in the cold.

⁸They are wet with the showres of the mountaines, and imbrace the rocke for want of a shelter.

⁹They plucke the fatherlesse from the brest, and take a pledge of the poore.

¹⁰They cause him to go naked without clothing: and they take away the sheafe from the hungry,

¹¹ Which make oyle within their walles, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.

¹²Men groane from out of the city, and the soule of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.

²⁹Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

²⁹Returne, I pray you, let it not be iniquitie; yea returne againe: my righteousnesse ^† is in it.

⁷And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

⁸And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

⁷And the anger of the LORD was hot agaiust Israel, and hee solde them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

⁸And that yere they vexed and ^†oppressed the children of Israel: eighteene yeeres, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Iordan, in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

³And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

³And the children of Israel cried vnto the LORD: for he had nine hundred charets of yron: and twentie yeres hee mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

¹³And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.

¹³And this haue yee done againe, couering the Altar of the LORD with teares, with weeping and with crying out, in so much that hee regardeth not the offering any more, or receiueth it with good will at your hand.

¹⁸Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

¹⁸Then shall yee returne and discerne betweene the righteous and the wicked, betweene him that serueth God, and him that serueth him not.

¹AND there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

²For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.

³Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.

⁴There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

⁵Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

¹¶ And there was a great crie of the people, and of their wiues, against their brethren the Iewes.

²For there were that said, We, our sonnes, and our daughters are many: therefore wee take vp corne for them, that we may eat, and liue.

³ Some also there were that saide, We haue morgaged our landes, vineyards and houses, that we might buy corne, because of the dearth.

⁴There were also that said, Wee haue borrowed money for the kings tribute, and that vpon our lands and vineyards.

⁵Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and loe, wee bring into bondage our sonnes and our daughters, to bee seruants, and some of our daughters are brought vnto bondage already, neither is it in our power to redeeme them: for other men haue our lands and vineyards.

¹⁵As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

¹⁶The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

¹⁵ As a roaring lyon and a ranging beare: so is a wicked ruler ouer the poore people.

¹⁶The prince that wanteth vnderstanding, is also a great oppressour: but he that hateth couetousnesse, shall prolong his dayes.

³A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

^3†A poore man that oppresseth the poore, is like a sweeping raine which leaueth no food.

⁹He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

¹⁰He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

^9†He lieth in waite secretly as a lyon in his denne, he lieth in wait to catch the poore: he doth catch the poore when he draweth him into his net.

^10†‖He croucheth, and humbleth himselfe, that the poore may fall by his strong ones.

⁴I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

^4‖††I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me, refuge failed me: no man cared for my soule.

²⁰Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

²⁰Reproch hath broken my heart, and I am full of heauines: and I looked for some ^†to take pitie, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

⁵Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.

⁵Thou feedest them with the bread of teares: and giuest them teares to drinke in great measure.

⁷All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

^7*All the brethren of the poore doe hate him: howe much more doe his friends goe farre from him? Hee pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

⁸Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

⁹For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

⁸Mine enemies reproch me all the day: and they that are mad against me, are sworne against me.

⁹For I haue eaten ashes like bread: and mingled my drinke with weeping.

¹¹Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

¹²Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?

¹³For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

¹⁴With kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

¹⁵Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:

¹⁶Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.

¹⁷There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.

¹⁸There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.

¹⁹The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.

²⁰Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

²¹Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

²²Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

²³Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?

²⁴For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.

²⁵For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

²⁶I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

¹¹Why died I not from the wombe? why did I not giue vp the ghost when I came out of the bellie?

¹²Why did the knees preuent mee? or why the breasts, that I should sucke?

¹³For now should I haue lien still and beene quiet, I should haue slept; then had I bene at rest,

¹⁴With Kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places for themselues,

¹⁵Or with Princes that had golde, who filled their houses with siluer:

¹⁶Or as an hidden vntimely birth, I had not bene; as infants which neuer saw light.

¹⁷There the wicked cease from troubling: and there the ^†wearie be at rest.

¹⁸ There the prisoners rest together, they heare not the voice of the oppressour.

¹⁹The small and great are there, and the seruant is free from his master.

²⁰Wherefore is light giuen to him that is in misery, and life vnto the bitter in soule?

²¹Which ^†long for death, but it commeth not, and dig for it more then for hid treasures:

²²Which reioice exceedingly, and are glad when they can finde the graue?

²³ Why is light giuen to a man, whose way is hid, ^*and whom God hath hedged in?

²⁴For my sighing commeth ^†before I eate, and my roarings are powred out like the waters.

²⁵For ^†the thing which I greatly feared is come vpon me, and that which I was afraid of, is come vnto me.

²⁶I was not in safetie, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet: yet trouble came.

¹⁷Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

¹⁷Therefore I hated life, because the worke that is wrought vnder the Sunne is grieuous vnto mee: for all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

⁴¶ For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

⁵For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

⁶Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

⁴¶ For to him that is ioyned to all the liuing, there is hope: for a liuing dogge is better then a dead Lion.

⁵For the liuing know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither haue they any more a reward, for the memorie of them is forgotten.

⁶Also their loue, and their hatred, and their enuy is now perished; neither haue they any more a portion for euer in any thing that is done vnder the Sunne.

²⁹For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

²⁹For beholde, the dayes are comming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that neuer bare, and the paps which neuer gaue sucke.

³¶ If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

⁴For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

⁵Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

³¶ If a man beget an hundred children, and liue many yeeres, so that the dayes of his yeeres bee many: and his soule be not filled with good, and also that he haue no buriall, I say, that an vntimely birth is better then he.

⁴For he commeth in with vanitie, and departeth in darkenesse, and his name shall be couered with darkenesse.

⁵Moreouer hee hath not seene the Sunne, nor knowen any thing: this hath more rest then the other.

¹⁹And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

¹⁹And woe vnto them that are with child, and to them that giue sucke in those dayes.

¹⁷Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

¹⁷Therefore I hated life, because the worke that is wrought vnder the Sunne is grieuous vnto mee: for all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

¹⁷Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.

¹⁸Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

¹⁷Because he slew me not from the wombe: or that my mother might haue beene my graue, and her wombe to be alwaies great with me.

^18*Wherefore came I forth out of the wombe to see labour and sorrow, that my daies should be consumed with shame?

²Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

³And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.

²Oh that I had in the wildernesse a lodging place of wayfaring men, that I might leaue my people, and goe from them: for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

³And they bend their tongue like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the trueth vpon the earth: for they proceed from euil to euill, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

¹⁸Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!

¹⁹I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

^18*Wherfore then hast thou brought me forth out of the wombe? Oh that I had giuen vp the ghost, and no eye had seene me!

¹⁹I should haue bene as though I had not bene, I should haue bene caried from the wombe to the graue.

¹⁰Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.

¹¹Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

¹²Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?

¹³For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

¹⁴With kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

¹⁵Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:

¹⁶Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.

¹⁰Because it shut not vp the doores of my mothers wombe, nor hid sorrowe from mine eyes.

¹¹Why died I not from the wombe? why did I not giue vp the ghost when I came out of the bellie?

¹²Why did the knees preuent mee? or why the breasts, that I should sucke?

¹³For now should I haue lien still and beene quiet, I should haue slept; then had I bene at rest,

¹⁴With Kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places for themselues,

¹⁵Or with Princes that had golde, who filled their houses with siluer:

¹⁶Or as an hidden vntimely birth, I had not bene; as infants which neuer saw light.

²²Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

²²Which reioice exceedingly, and are glad when they can finde the graue?

⁶And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

⁷Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

⁸I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

⁹Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

¹⁰Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

¹¹Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

⁶And I said, O that I had wings like a doue; for then would I flee away and be at rest.

⁷Loe, then would I wander farre off, and remaine in the wildernesse. Selah.

⁸I would hasten my escape from the windie storme, and tempest.

⁹Destroy, O LORD, and diuide their tongues: for I haue seene violence and strife in the citie.

¹⁰Day and night they goe about it vpon the walles thereof: mischiefe also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

¹¹Wickednesse is in the midst thereof: deceite and guile depart not from her streets.

¹⁴I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

¹⁴I haue seene all the workes that are done vnder the Sunne, and behold, all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

¹²Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

¹²Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slewe his brother: and wherefore slewe hee him? because his owne workes were euill, and his brothers righteous.

¹⁴I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

¹⁴I haue seene all the workes that are done vnder the Sunne, and behold, all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

²¹For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

^21†For there is a man whose labour is in wisedome and in knowledge, and in equitie: yet to a man that hath not laboured therein, shall hee leaue it for his portion; This also is vanitie, and a great euill.

²⁶For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

^26†*For God giueth to a man that is good in his sight, wisedome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner hee giueth traueile, to gather and to heape vp that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.

¹⁴And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.

¹⁵Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

¹⁶But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

¹⁴And Dauid ^‖behaued himselfe wisely in all his wayes; & the LORD was with him.

¹⁵Wherefore when Saul saw that hee behaued himselfe very wisely, hee was afraid of him.

¹⁶But all Israel and Iudah loued Dauid, because hee went out and came in before them.

²⁹And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.

³⁰Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.

²⁹And Saul was yet the more afraid of Dauid; and Saul became Dauids enemie continually.

³⁰Then the Princes of the Philistines went foorth: and it came to passe after they went foorth, that Dauid behaued himselfe more wisely then all the seruants of Saul, so that his name was ^†much set by.

⁸And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

⁹And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

⁸And Saul was very wroth, and the saying ^†displeased him, and he sayd, They haue ascribed vnto Dauid tenne thousands, and to me they haue ascribed but thousands: and what can he haue more, but the kingdome?

⁹And Saul eyed Dauid from that day, and forward.

¹⁶There 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.

¹⁶ There is no end of all the people, euen of all that haue beene before them: they also that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this also is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

⁹¶ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

⁹¶ ^†Better is the sight of the eyes, then the wandering of the desire: this is also vanitie and vexation of spirit.

²These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

³Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

⁴And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

⁵¶ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

⁶And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

⁷For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

⁸And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

⁹¶ And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

¹⁰And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

¹¹And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

²These are the generations of Iacob: Ioseph being seuenteene yeeres old, was feeding the flocke with his brethren, and the lad was with the sonnes of Bilhah, and with the sonnes of Zilpah, his fathers wiues: and Ioseph brought vnto his father their euill report.

³Now Israel loued Ioseph more then all his children, because he was the sonne of his old age: and he made him a coat of many ^‖colours.

⁴And when his brethren saw that their father loued him more then all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speake peaceably vnto him.

⁵¶ And Ioseph dreamed a dreame, and he told it his brethren, and they hated him yet the more.

⁶And he said vnto them, Heare, I pray you, this dreame which I haue dreamed.

⁷For beholde, wee were binding sheaues in the field, and loe, my sheafe arose, and also stood vpright; and behold, your sheaues stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheafe.

⁸And his brethren saide to him, Shalt thou indeed reigne ouer vs? or shalt thou indeed haue dominion ouer vs? and they hated him yet the more, for his dreames, and for his words.

⁹¶ And hee dreamed yet another dreame, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I haue dreamed a dreame more: and behold, the sunne and the moone, and the eleuen starres made obeisance to me.

¹⁰And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said vnto him, What is this dreame that thou hast dreamed? shal I, and thy mother, and thy brethren indeed come to bow downe our selues to thee, to the earth?

¹¹And his brethren enuied him: but his father obserued the saying.

⁴And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

⁵But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

⁶And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

⁷If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

⁸And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

⁴And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his ^†flocke, and of the fat thereof: and the LORD had ^*respect vnto Abel, and to his offering.

⁵But vnto Cain, and to his offring he had not respect: and Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

⁶And the LORD said vnto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen?

⁷If thou doe well, shalt thou not ^‖be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sinne lieth at the doore: And ^‖vnto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule ouer him.

⁸And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to passe ^*when they were in the field, that Cain rose vp against Abel his brother, and slew him.

¹⁸For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

¹⁸For hee knew that for enuie they had deliuered him.

⁴Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

^4†‖Wrath is cruell, and anger is outragious: but who is able to stand before enuie?

⁹And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

^9*And the Patriarchs moued with enuie, sold Ioseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

¹¹¶ Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

¹¹¶ Seeing there be many things that increase vanitie, what is man the better?

⁵Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

⁵Doe ye thinke that the Scripture saith in vaine, the spirit that dwelleth in vs lusteth ^‖to enuy?

²⁰And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

^20†And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry, and he shall eate on the left hand, and they shall not bee satisfied: they shall eate euery man the flesh of his owne arme.

¹⁰Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

¹¹So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

¹⁰ Yet a little sleepe, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleepe.

¹¹So shall thy pouertie come as one that trauaileth, and thy want as an armed man.

⁴The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

⁴The soule of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soule of the diligent shall be made fat.

¹⁴Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

¹⁴Wherefore doe I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

⁴The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

^4*‖The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he begge in haruest, and haue nothing.

¹⁷The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

¹⁷The mercifull man doeth good to his owne soule: but he that is cruell, troubleth his owne flesh.

²⁷The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

²⁷The slouthfull man rosteth not that which he tooke in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

³³Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

³⁴So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

^33* Yet a little sleepe, a little slumber, a little folding of the handes to sleepe:

^34†So shall thy pouertie come, as one that traueileth, and thy want, as an armed man.

¹⁶Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

^16*Better is little with the feare of the LORD, then great treasure, and trouble therewith.

^17*Better is a dinner of herbes where loue is, then a stalled oxe, and hatred therewith.

⁸Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

^8*Better is a little with righteousnesse, then great reuenewes without right.

¹⁶A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

¹⁶A little that a righteous man hath, is better then the riches of many wicked.

¹BETTER is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

¹¶ ^*‖Better is a drie morsell, and quietnesse therewith; then an house full of sacrifices with strife.

¹SO 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.

¹¶ ^*†So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done vnder the sunne; & behold the teares of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter: and on the side of their oppressours there was power, but they had no comforter.

³³Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

³³Therefore their dayes did he consume in vanitie, and their yeeres in trouble.

⁶But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

⁶But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my seruants the Prophets, did they not ^‖take holde of your fathers? and they returned and saide; ^*Like as the LORD of hostes thought to doe vnto vs, according to our wayes, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with vs.

¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

²⁰Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

^20*†Hell and destruction are neuer full: so the eyes of man are neuer satisfied.

²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

²⁰But God said vnto him, Thou foole, this night ^†thy soule shal be required of thee: then whose shal those things be which thou hast prouided?

⁸All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

⁸All things are full of labour, man cannot vtter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the eare filled with hearing.

¹³And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

¹³And I gaue my heart to seeke and search out by wisedome, concerning all things that are done vnder heauen: this sore trauell hath God giuen to the sonnes of man, ^‖to be exercised therewith.

²⁸¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁸¶ Come vnto me all yee that labour, and are heauy laden, and I will giue you rest.

⁹¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

¹⁰For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

¹¹Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

¹²And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

⁹¶ Two are better then one; because they haue a good reward for their labour.

¹⁰For if they fall, the one will lift vp his fellow; but woe to him that is alone, when he falleth: for he hath not another to helpe him vp.

¹¹Againe, if two lye together, then they haue heate; but howe can one be warme alone?

¹²And if one preuaile against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold coard is not quickly broken.

¹⁰He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

¹⁰Hee that loueth siluer shall not be satisfied with siluer; nor he that loueth abundance, with increase: this is also vanitie.

¹⁸¶ And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

¹⁸¶ And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him ^*an helpe ^†meet for him.

⁸¶ Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

⁸¶ ^*Woe vnto them that ioyne house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth.

³¶ Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

⁴For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

⁵Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

³¶ Neither let the sonne of the stranger, that hath ioyned himselfe to the LORD, speake, saying, The LORD hath vtterly separated mee from his people: neither let the Eunuch say, Behold, I am a drie tree.

⁴For thus saith the LORD vnto the Eunuches that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please mee, and take hold of my couenant:

⁵Euen vnto them will I giue in mine house, and within my walles, a place and a name better then of sonnes and of daughters: I wil giue them an euerlasting name, that shal not be cut off.

⁶Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

^6†Surely euery man walketh in a vaine shew: surely they are disquieted in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

²³For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

^23*For all his dayes are sorrowes, and his traueile, griefe; yea his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanitie.

²And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

³And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

²And Abram said, LORD GOD, what wilt thou giue me, seeing I goe childlesse? and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus.

³And Abram said; Behold, to mee thou hast given no seed: and loe, one borne in my house is mine heire.

⁵¶ Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

⁶Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!

⁷Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?

⁸Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

⁹¶ Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

⁵¶ ^‖Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth vnto him all nations, & heapeth vnto him all people:

^6‖Shal not all these take vp a parable against him, and a tanting prouerbe against him, and say; Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his: how long? and to him that ladeth himselfe with thicke clay.

⁷Shall they not rise vp suddenly that shall bite thee? and awake, that shall vexe thee? and thou shalt be for booties vnto them?

^8†Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shal spoile thee: because of mens blood, and for the violence of the land, of the citie, and of all that dwell therein.

⁹¶ ^*‖†Woe to him that coueteth an euill couetousnesse to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that hee may be deliuered from the power of euill.

¹⁹And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

²⁰He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

^19††And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor vnderstanding to say; I haue burnt part of it in the fire, yea also I haue baked bread vpon the coales thereof: I haue rosted flesh and eaten it; and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall downe to the stocke of a tree?

²⁰He feedeth of ashes: a deceiued heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliuer his soule, nor say; Is there not a lie in my right hand?

²Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

^2†Wherefore doe yee spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently vnto me, and eate ye that which is good, and let your soule delight it selfe in fatnesse.