4:1 Then I returned and saw 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.
4:1 Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold [I saw] the tears of the oppressed and [that] they had no one to comfort [them;] and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort [them.]

4:2 Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;
4:2 So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living.

4:3 yea, better than them both (did I esteem) him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4:3 But better [off] than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

4:4 Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
4:4 And I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is [ the result of] rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
4:5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
4:6 One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

4:7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
4:7 Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.

4:8 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 labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, (saith he), do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
4:8 There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches [and he never asked,] "And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?" This too is vanity and it is a grievous task.

4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
4:9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

4:10 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.
4:10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm (alone)?
4:11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm [alone?]

4:12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
4:12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three [strands] is not quickly torn apart.

4:13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
4:13 A poor, yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows [how] to receive instruction.

4:14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
4:14 For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

4:15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.
4:15 I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him.

4:16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
4:16 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.