Oppression, Futility, and the Strength of Companionship
Ecclesiastes 4:1-12
1I returned and saw all the oppression that is done under the sun. Behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; from the hand of their oppressors comes strength, and they have no comforter.2So I commend the dead who have already died more than the living who are still alive.3Better than both is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the harmful work that is done under the sun.4I saw all the trouble and all the skill of the work, for it is a man's jealousy of his neighbor; this also is vanity and a striving after wind.5The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.6Better is a handful with quietness than two handfuls with trouble and a striving after wind.7I returned and saw vanity under the sun.8There is one who has no companion, neither son nor brother, and there is no end to all his toil; his eye is never satisfied with riches, and for whom do I labor and deprive myself of good? This also is vanity and an unhappy business.9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.10For if they fall, one can help the other up; but pity the one who falls and has no one to help him up.11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves; a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.