Ecclesiastes 4:3–8

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.