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4:1  Again I saw all the people who were mistreated here on earth. I saw their tears and that they had no one to comfort them. Cruel people had all the power, and there was no one to comfort those they hurt.
4:2  I decided that the dead are better off than the living.
4:3  But those who have never been born are better off still; they have not seen the evil that is done here on earth.
4:4  I realized the reason people work hard and try to succeed: They are jealous of each other. This, too, is useless, like chasing the wind.
4:5  Some say it is foolish to fold your hands and do nothing, because you will starve to death.
4:6  Maybe so, but I say it is better to be content with what little you have. Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more, and that is like chasing the wind.
4:7  Again I saw something here on earth that was useless:
4:8  I saw a man who had no family, no son or brother. He always worked hard but was never satisfied with what he had. He never asked himself, “For whom am I working so hard? Why don’t I let myself enjoy life?” This also is very sad and useless.
4:9  Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together.
4:10  If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help.
4:11  If two lie down together, they will be warm, but a person alone will not be warm.
4:12  An enemy might defeat one person, but two people together can defend themselves; a rope that is woven of three strings is hard to break.
4:13  A poor but wise boy is better than a foolish but old king who doesn’t listen to advice.
4:14  A boy became king. He had been born poor in the kingdom and had even gone to prison before becoming king.
4:15  I watched all the people who live on earth follow him and make him their king.
4:16  Many followed him at first, but later, they did not like him, either. So fame and power are useless, like chasing the wind.