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Ecclesiastes Chapter 4
(Original 1611 KJV Bible)

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This is the text and a scan of the actual, original, first printing of the 1611 King James Version, the 'HE' Bible, for Ecclesiastes Chapter 4. The KJV does not get more original or authentic than this. View Ecclesiastes Chapter 4 as text-only. Click to switch to the standard King James Version of Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

Why does it have strange spelling?


CHAP. IV.

1 Vanitie is encreased vnto men by oppression, 4 By enuie, 5 By idlenesse, 7 By couetousnesse, 9 By solitarinesse, 13 By wilfulnesse.

1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done vnder the sunne; & behold the teares of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter: and on the side of their oppressours there was power, but they had no comforter.1

2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead, more then the liuing which are yet aliue.2

3 Yea better is he then both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seene the euill worke that is done vnder the Sunne.3

4 ¶ Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.4

5 The foole foldeth his hands together, and eateth his owne flesh.5

6 Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then both the hands full with trauell and vexation of spirit.6

7 ¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanitie vnder the Sunne.

8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither childe nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither sayth hee, For whom doe I labour, and bereaue my soule of good? this is also vanitie, yea it is a sore trauell.

9 ¶ Two are better then one; because they haue a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift vp his fellow; but woe to him that is alone, when he falleth: for he hath not another to helpe him vp.

11 Againe, if two lye together, then they haue heate; but howe can one be warme alone?

12 And if one preuaile against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold coard is not quickly broken.

13 ¶ Better is a poore and a wise child, then an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished.13

14 For out of prison hee commeth to raigne, whereas also he that is borne in his kingdome, becommeth poore.

15 I considered all the liuing which walke vnder the sunne, with the second child that shall stand vp in his stead.

16 There is no end of all the people, euen of all that haue beene before them: they also that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this also is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

 



Ecclesiastes Chapter 4 Sidenote References (from Original 1611 KJV Bible):

1 Chap.5.7. &c. , Heb. hand.
2 Iob 3.17. &c.
3 Iob 3.11, 16,21.
4 Heb. all the rightnes of worke. , Heb. this is the enuie of a man from his neighbour.
5 Prou.6.10 and 24.33.
6 Prou. 15. 16. and 16. 18.
13 Heb. who knoweth not to be admonished.


* Some content on this page courtesy of Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania


 


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