Ecclesiastes 4 – Studienbibel

1 So I returned7725, and considered7200 all the oppressions6217 that are done6213 under the sun8121: and behold the tears1832 of such as were oppressed6231, and they had no comforter5162; and on the side3027 of their oppressors6231 there was power3581; but they had no comforter5162.¹ 2 Wherefore I praised7623 the dead4191 which are already3528 dead4191 more than the living2416 which are yet5728 alive2416. 3 Yea, better2896 is he than both8147 they, which hath not yet5728 been, who hath not seen7200 the evil7451 work4639 that is done6213 under the sun8121.

4 Again, I considered7200 all travail5999, and every right3788 work4639, that for this a man376 is envied7068 of his neighbour7453. This is also vanity1892 and vexation7469 of spirit7307.²³ 5 The fool3684 foldeth2263 his hands3027 together2263, and eateth398 his own flesh1320. 6 Better2896 is an handful3709 with quietness5183, than both the hands2651 full4393 with travail5999 and vexation7469 of spirit7307.

7 Then I returned7725, and I saw7200 vanity1892 under the sun8121. 8 There is3426 one259 alone, and there is not a second8145; yea, he hath neither child1121 nor brother251: yet is there no end7093 of all his labour5999; neither is his eye5869 satisfied7646 with riches6239; neither saith he, For whom do I labour6001, and bereave2637 my soul5315 of good2896? This is also vanity1892, yea, it is a sore7451 travail6045. 9 Two8147 are better2896 than one259; because they have3426 a good2896 reward7939 for their labour5999. 10 For if they fall5307, the one259 will lift up6965 his fellow2270: but woe337 to him that is alone259 when he falleth5307; for he hath not another8145 to help him up6965. 11 Again1571, if two8147 lie together7901, then they have heat2552: but how can one259 be warm3179 alone? 12 And if one259 prevail8630 against him, two8147 shall withstand5975 him; and a threefold8027 cord2339 is not quickly4120 broken5423.

13 Better2896 is a poor4542 and a wise2450 child3206 than an old2205 and foolish3684 king4428, who will3045 no more be admonished2094.⁴ 14 For out of prison631 1004 he cometh3318 to reign4427; whereas also he that is born3205 in his kingdom4438 becometh poor7326. 15 I considered7200 all the living2416 which walk1980 under the sun8121, with the second8145 child3206 that shall stand up5975 in his stead. 16 There is no end7093 of all the people5971, even of all that have been before6440 them: they also that come after314 shall not rejoice8055 in him. Surely this also is vanity1892 and vexation7475 of spirit7307.