jps Ecclesiastes:4:1-12 SEEK
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But 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 .
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Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive ;
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but better than they both is he that hath not yet been ,
who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun .
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Again ,
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 .
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The fool foldeth his hands together ,
and eateth his own flesh .
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Better is a handful of quietness ,
than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind .
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Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun .
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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 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 .
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Two are better than one ;
because they have a good reward for their labour .
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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 .
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Again ,
if two lie together ,
then they have warmth ;
but how can one be warm alone ?
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And if a man prevail against him that is alone ,
two shall withstand him ;
and a threefold cord is not quickly broken .