Ecclesiastes 4

Fremdeles så jeg al den Undertrykkelse, som sker under Solen; jeg så de undertryktes tårer og ingen trøstede dem; de led Vold af deres Undertrykkeres Hånd, og ingen trøstede dem.

So I returned, and considered 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.

Da priste jeg de døde, som allerede er døde, lykkeligere end de levende, som endnu er i Live;

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

men lykkeligere end begge den, som slet ikke er til, som ikke har set det onde, der sker under Solen.

Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Og jeg så, at al Flid og alt dygtigt Arbejde udspringer af den enes Misundelse mod den anden. Også det er Tomhed og Jag efter Vind.

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Dåren lægger Hænderne i Skødet og æder sig selv op

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

Bedre en Håndfuld Hvile end Hænderne fulde af Flid og Jag efter Vind.

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

Og mere Tomhed så jeg under Solen.

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

Mangen står alene og har ikke nogen ved sin Side, hverken Søn eller Broder, og dog er der ingen Ende på al hans Flid og hans Øje bliver ikke mæt af Rigdom. Men, for hvis Skyld gør jeg mig Flid og nægter mig enhver Nydelse? Også det, er Tomhed og ondt Slid.

There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

To er bedre faren end een, thi de får god Løn for deres Flid;

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

hvis den ene falder, kan den anden rejse sin Fælle op. Men ve den ensomme! Thi falder han, er der ingen til at rejse ham op.

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

Og når to ligger sammen, bliver de varme; men hvorledes kan den ensomme blive varm?

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

Og når nogen kan overvælde den ensomme, så kan to stå sig imod ham; tretvundet Snor brister ikke i Hast.

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Bedre faren er en fattig Yngling, som er viis, end en gammel Konge, som er en Tåbe og ikke mere har Forstand til at lade sig råde.

Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

Thi hin gik ud af Fængselet for at blive Konge, skønt han var født i Fattigdom under den andens Regering.

For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

Jeg så alle, som levede og færdedes under Solen, stille sig ved den Ynglings Side, som skulde træde i Kongens Sted;

I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

der var ikke Tal på alle de Mennesker, han stod i Spidsen for; men heller ikke over ham glæder de senere Slægter sig; nej, også det er Tomhed og Jag efter Vind.

There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.