Ecclesiastes 4 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Ecclesiastes 4 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV So 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.
ASV Then I returned and saw 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.
WEB Then 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.
YLT And 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 <FI>is<Fi> power, and they have no comforter.
DRB 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.
DBY And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, and they had no comforter.
GNV So I turned and considered all the oppressions that are wrought vnder the sunne, and beholde the teares of the oppressed, and none comforteth them: and lo, the strength is of the hand of them that oppresse them, and none comforteth them.
LSB Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.
Verse 2
KJV Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
ASV Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;
WEB Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.
YLT And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive.
DRB And I praised the dead rather than the living:
DBY Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;
GNV Wherefore I praysed the dead which now are dead, aboue the liuing, which are yet aliue.
LSB So I lauded the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living.
Verse 3
KJV Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
ASV yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
WEB Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
YLT And better than both of them <FI>is<Fi> he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun.
DRB And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
DBY and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
GNV And I count him better then them both, which hath not yet bin: for he hath not seene the euill workes which are wrought vnder the sunne.
LSB But better off than both of them is the one who never has been, who has never seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Verse 4
KJV Again, 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.
ASV Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
WEB Then 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.
YLT And 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 <FI>is<Fi> vanity and vexation of spirit.
DRB Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighbour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
DBY And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
GNV Also I beheld all trauaile, and all perfection of workes that this is ye enuie of a man against his neighbour: this also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
LSB I have seen that every labor and every success of the work is the result of jealousy between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind.
Verse 5
KJV The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
ASV The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
WEB The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
YLT The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:
DRB The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
DBY The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
GNV The foole foldeth his hands, and eateth vp his owne flesh.
LSB The fool folds his hands in embrace and consumes his own flesh.
Verse 6
KJV Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
ASV Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
WEB Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
YLT `Better <FI>is<Fi> a handful <FI>with<Fi> quietness, than two handfuls <FI>with<Fi> labour and vexation of spirit.'
DRB Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
DBY Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.
GNV Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.
LSB One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.
Verse 7
KJV Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
ASV Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
WEB Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
YLT And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:
DRB Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
DBY And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
GNV Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
LSB Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
Verse 8
KJV There 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.
ASV There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
WEB There 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.
YLT There 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 <FI>he saith not<Fi> , `For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?' This also is vanity, it is a sad travail.
DRB 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.
DBY There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation.
GNV There is one alone, and there is not a second, which hath neither sonne nor brother, yet is there none end of all his trauaile, neither can his eye be satisfied with riches: neither doeth he thinke, For whome doe I trauaile and defraude my soule of pleasure? this also is vanitie, and this is an euill trauaile.
LSB There was a certain man without a second man, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches—“And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of good?” This too is vanity, and it is a grievous endeavor.
Verse 9
KJV Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
ASV Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
WEB Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
YLT The two <FI>are<Fi> better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labour.
DRB It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
DBY Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
GNV Two are better then one: for they haue better wages for their labour.
LSB Two are better than one because they have good wages for their labor.
Verse 10
KJV For 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.
ASV For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.
WEB For 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.
YLT For if they fall, the one raiseth up his companion, but woe to the one who falleth and there is not a second to raise him up!
DRB 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.
DBY For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up!
GNV For if they fal, the one wil lift vp his felow: but wo vnto him that is alone: for he falleth, and there is not a second to lift him vp.
LSB For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not a second one to lift him up.
Verse 11
KJV Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
ASV Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]?
WEB Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?
YLT Also, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how hath one heat?
DRB And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
DBY Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?
GNV Also if two sleepe together, then shall they haue heate: but to one how should there be heate?
LSB Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?
Verse 12
KJV And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
ASV And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
WEB If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
YLT And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.
DRB And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
DBY And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
GNV And if one ouercome him, two shall stand against him: and a threefolde coard is not easily broken.
LSB And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can stand against him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
Verse 13
KJV Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
ASV Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
WEB Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.
YLT Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more.
DRB Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
DBY Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.
GNV Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.
LSB A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive warning.
Verse 14
KJV For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
ASV For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
WEB For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
YLT For from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he hath been poor.
DRB Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
DBY For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.
GNV For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.
LSB For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.
Verse 15
KJV I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
ASV I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.
WEB I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.
YLT I have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who doth stand in his place;
DRB I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
DBY I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.
GNV I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his place.
LSB I have seen all the living who walk about under the sun go along with the second lad who stands in place of him.
Verse 16
KJV There 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.
ASV There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
WEB There 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.
YLT there 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.
DRB 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.
DBY [There is] no end of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.
GNV There is none ende of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this is also vanitie and vexation of spirit. Take heede to thy foote when thou entrest into the House of God, and be more neere to heare then to giue the sacrifice of fooles: for they knowe not that they doe euil.
LSB There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be glad with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.
Verse 17
KJV
ASV
WEB
YLT
DRB Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.
DBY
GNV
LSB