33 lines
1.9 KiB
Markdown
33 lines
1.9 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 4
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1. Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.
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2. So I commended the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive.
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3. But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.
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The Loneliness of Wealth
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4. I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to one person's jealousy of another. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
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5. The fool folds his arms
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and consumes his own flesh.
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6. Better one handful with rest
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than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.
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7. Again, I saw futility under the sun:
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8. There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. "Who am I struggling for," he asks, "and depriving myself of good things?" This too is futile and a miserable task.
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9. Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.
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10. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.
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11. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?
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12. And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
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13. Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer pays attention to warnings.
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14. For he came from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.
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15. I saw all the living, who move about under the sun, follow a second youth who succeeds him.
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16. There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
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