Oppression and Companionship
Ecclesiastes 4
The Preacher observes the oppressed who have no comforter and judges the dead more fortunate than the living, noting that much labor springs from envy and rivalry between neighbors. He commends the value of companionship over solitary toil, and warns against rash and careless offerings when entering the house of the Lord.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHEN I turned and took a view of all the different sorts of oppression under the sun; and behold the tear of the oppressed and they have no comforter. Though from the hand of oppressors some have relief; yet others have no comforter.
BrentonSo I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψα ἐγὼ, καὶ εἶδον συμπάσας τὰς συκοφαντίας τὰς γενομένας ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον· καὶ ἰδοὺ δάκρυον τῶν συκοφαντουμένων, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς παρακαλῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ χειρὸς συκοφαντούντων αὐτοῖς ἰσχὺς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς παρακαλῶν.
KJVSo 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.
JPSBut 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.
2
ThomsonTherefore I praised the whole body of the dead—those who were already dead, above the living—
Brentonand I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπῄνεσα ἐγὼ σύμπαντας τοὺς τεθνηκότας τοὺς ἤδη ἀποθανόντας ὑπὲρ τοὺς ζῶντας, ὅσοι αὐτοὶ ζῶσιν ἕως τοῦ νῦν.
KJVWherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
JPSWherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;
3
Thomsonthose who are still alive: but better than both is he who hath never been—who hath not seen all the evil work which is done under the sun.
BrentonBetter also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.
GreekΚαὶ ἀγαθὸς ὑπὲρ τοὺς δύο τούτους ὅστις οὔπω ἐγένετο, ὃς οὐκ εἶδε σὺν πᾶν τὸ ποίημα τὸ πονηρὸν τὸ πεποιημένον ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον.
KJVYea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
JPSbut better than they both is he that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4
ThomsonIn the review of labour in general, I took a view in particular of manly exertion in executing. Because this causeth a man to be envied by his neighbour, this therefore is vanity and vexation of spirit.
BrentonAnd I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man's envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδον ἐγὼ σύμπαντα τὸν μόχθον, καὶ σύμπασαν ἀνδρίαν τοῦ ποιήματος, ὅτι αὐτὸ ζῆλος ἀνδρὸς ἀπὸ τοῦ ἑταίρου αὐτοῦ· καί γε τοῦτο ματαιότης καὶ προαίρεσις πνεύματος.
KJVAgain, 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.
JPSAgain, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man’s rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5
ThomsonThe fool folded his hands and devouring his flesh said,
BrentonThe fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.
GreekὉ ἄφρων περιέβαλε τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔφαγε τὰς σάρκας αὐτοῦ.
KJVThe fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
JPSThe fool foldeth his hands together, And eateth his own flesh.
6
ThomsonBetter is one handful of rest than two handfuls of labour and vexation of spirit.
BrentonBetter is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit.
GreekἈγαθὸν πλήρωμα δρακὸς ἀναπαύσεως ὑπὲρ πληρώματα δύο δρακῶν μόχθου καὶ προαιρέσεως πνεύματος.
KJVBetter is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
JPSBetter is a handful of quietness, Than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.
7
ThomsonThen I turned and took a view of a vanity under the sun—
BrentonSo I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψα ἐγὼ, καὶ εἶδον ματαιότητα ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον.
KJVThen I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
JPSThen I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
8
ThomsonHere is a single individual who hath no second; at least he hath neither son nor brother, yet there is no end to all his labour. His eye is not satisfied with riches, yet doth he say, For whom do I labour and deprive my soul of good? Surely this is vanity and a sore vexation.
BrentonThere is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.
GreekἜστιν εἷς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι δεύτερος· καί γε υἱὸς καί γε ἀδελφὸς οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ· καὶ οὐκ ἔστι περασμὸς τῷ παντὶ μόχθῳ αὐτοῦ· καί γε ὀφθαλμὸς αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐμπίμπλαται πλούτου· καὶ τίνι ἐγὼ μοχθῶ, καὶ στερίσκω τὴν ψυχήν μου ἀπὸ ἀγαθωσύνης; καί γε τοῦτο ματαιότης καὶ περισπασμὸς πονηρός ἐστιν.
KJVThere 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.
JPSThere 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 labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: ‘for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?’ This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business.
9
ThomsonTwo are better than one. They have a better reward for their labour.
BrentonTwo are better than one, seeing they have a good reward for their labour.
GreekἈγαθοὶ οἱ δύο ὑπὲρ τὸν ἕνα, οἷς ἐστὶν αὐτοῖς μισθὸς ἀγαθὸς ἐν μόχθῳ αὐτῶν·
KJVTwo are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
JPSTwo are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10
ThomsonFor if they chance to fall the one can raise up his fellow. But alas for him who is alone, when he falleth and hath not another to raise him up.
BrentonFor if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.
GreekὍτι ἐὰν πέσωσιν, ὁ εἷς ἐγερεῖ τὸν μέτοχον αὐτοῦ· καὶ οὐαὶ αὐτῷ τῷ ἑνὶ, ὅταν πέσῃ καὶ μὴ ᾖ δεύτερος ἐγεῖραι αὐτόν.
KJVFor 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.
JPSFor 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.
11
ThomsonAgain if two lie together they have warmth: but how can one be warm who is alone?
BrentonAlso if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed alone?
GreekΚαί γε ἐὰν κοιμηθῶσι δύο, καὶ θέρμη αὐτοῖς, καὶ ὁ εἷς πῶς θερμανθῇ;
KJVAgain, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
JPSAgain, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
12
ThomsonAgain though one should be strong the two may withstand him, and a threefold cord cannot easily be broken.
BrentonAnd if one should prevail against him, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.
GreekΚαὶ ἐὰν ἐπικραταιωθῇ ὁ εἷς, οἱ δύο στήσονται κατέναντι αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸ σπαρτίον τὸ ἔντριτον οὐ ταχέως ἀποῤῥαγήσεται.
KJVAnd if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
JPSAnd if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13
ThomsonBetter is a poor and wise subject than an old and foolish king who hath not yet learned how to conduct himself;
BrentonBetter is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.
GreekἈγαθὸς παῖς πένης καὶ σοφὸς ὑπὲρ βασιλέα πρεσβύτερον καὶ ἄφρονα, ὃς οὐκ ἔγνω τοῦ προσέχειν ἔτι·
KJVBetter is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
JPSBetter is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
14
Thomsonfor out of prison he may come to reign. Because even in his own kingdom he was needy;
BrentonFor he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because he also that was in his kingdom has become poor.
GreekὍτι ἐξ οἴκου τῶν δεσμίων ἐξελεύσεται τοῦ βασιλεῦσαι, ὅτι καί γε ἐν βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ ἐγενήθη πένης.
KJVFor out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
JPSFor out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom he was born poor.
15
ThomsonI took a view of the whole body of the living who were walking under the sun with the youth second in rank who is to succeed him.
BrentonI beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.
GreekΕἶδον σύμπαντας τοὺς ζῶντας τοὺς περιπατοῦντας ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον μετὰ τοῦ νεανίσκου τοῦ δευτέρου, ὃς στήσεται ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVI considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
JPSI saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead.
16
ThomsonThere is no end of all the people—of all who preceded them. Yet they who come last will have no joy in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
BrentonThere is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.
GreekΟὐκ ἔστι περασμὸς τῷ παντὶ λαῷ, τοῖς πᾶσιν οἳ ἐγένοντο ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν· καί γε οἱ ἔσχατοι οὐκ εὐφρανθήσονται ἐπʼ αὐτῷ· ὅτι καί γε τοῦτο ματαιότης καὶ προαίρεσις πνεύματος.
KJVThere 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.
JPSThere was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
17
ThomsonKEEP thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and let thy sacrifice be a readiness to hear rather than the oblation of fools. Because they are not sensible that they do amiss,
BrentonKeep thy foot, whensoever thou goest to the house of God; and when thou art near to hear, let thy sacrifice be better than the gift of fools: for they know not that they are doing evil.
GreekΦύλαξον τὸν πόδα σου, ἐν ᾧ ἐὰν πορεύῃ εἰς οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ ἐγγὺς τοῦ ἀκούειν, ὑπὲρ δόμα τῶν ἀφρόνων θυσία σου, ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶν εἰδότες τοῦ ποιῆσαι κακόν.
KJVKeep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
JPSGuard thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be ready to hearken: it is better than when fools give sacrifices; for they know not that they do evil.