Ecclesiastes 4

The Preacher observes the pervasive oppression and the tears of the uncomforted, concluding that non-existence is preferable to witnessing such evil. He notes the vanity of labor driven by envy and the emptiness of solitary accumulation, contrasting it with the benefits of companionship. Ultimately, he reflects on the transient nature of power and popular favor, deeming it all vanity and vexation of spirit.

The chapter opens with the Preacher lamenting the widespread oppression under the sun, where the afflicted find no comfort and the powerful remain unchecked. This leads him to praise the dead over the living, and those never born as better than both, for they are spared the sight of such evil. He then considers how diligent labor often incites envy, declaring this also to be vanity, and contrasts it with the peace found in modest contentment. The Preacher observes the futility of a solitary man's endless toil for riches, which never satisfy and are accumulated without a clear purpose or heir. In stark contrast, he extols the virtues of companionship, asserting that two are better than one for mutual support, warmth, and strength against adversaries, likening it to a threefold cord. Finally, he reflects on the transient nature of leadership, noting that a wise, poor youth is superior to a foolish, unadvisable old king, and that even a popular new ruler's acclaim is fleeting, ultimately concluding that all such human endeavors are vanity and vexation of spirit.

The Preacher begins by reflecting on the profound suffering caused by oppression under the sun, observing the tears of the oppressed who lack any comforter, while their powerful oppressors also remain uncomforted in their own way. Witnessing this injustice, he concludes that the dead are more fortunate than the living, and even more so, those who have never been born, for they are spared the sight of the evil work prevalent in the world. He then turns his attention to the nature of human labor, noting that even diligent and righteous work often provokes envy from one's neighbor, which he also identifies as vanity and a vexation of spirit. This leads to the observation that a modest portion with quietness is preferable to an abundance gained through relentless toil and internal strife. The Preacher further illustrates vanity by describing a solitary individual who labors ceaselessly without a second, a child, or a brother, yet whose eye is never satisfied with riches, and who never considers the purpose of his immense effort. This isolated accumulation, he declares, is also vanity and a sore travail. In contrast to this solitary existence, the Preacher extols the benefits of companionship, asserting that two are better than one because they receive a good reward for their labor and can provide mutual support. He emphasizes that if one falls, the other can lift him up, and two can offer warmth and withstand adversaries more effectively than one, famously stating that a threefold cord is not quickly broken. The discourse then shifts to the transient nature of power and leadership, where a poor and wise child is deemed superior to an old and foolish king who refuses counsel. The Preacher observes the rise of new leaders, perhaps from humble beginnings, who gain popular favor, only for that favor to wane with time as new generations emerge. He concludes that the endless cycle of people, rulers, and their fleeting acclaim is also vanity and vexation of spirit, underscoring the impermanence of human achievements and recognition.