Oppression (4:1-3)

¹ So I returned, and considered [this] 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.
² Wherefore I praised [this] the dead which are already dead
more than the living which [withal] are yet alive.
³ Yea, better is he than both they [namely], who hath not yet been,
who hath not seen [this]

the evil work that is done under the sun.

Envy (4:4-6)

⁴ Again, I considered [this] all travail, and every right work,
that for this a man is envied of his neighbour.

This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

⁵ The fool foldeth [this] his hands together, and eateth [this] his own flesh.
⁶ Better is an handful [from a fullness of a palm] with quietness,
than both the hands full [than fullness of hands]

with travail and vexation of spirit.

Solitariness (4:7-8)

⁷ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
⁸ There is one alone, and there is not a second;
yea, he hath neither [nothing of] child [son] 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 [this] my soul of good?

This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

Helpers (4:9-12)

⁹ Two are better than one;
because they have a good reward for their labour.
¹⁰ For if they fall,
the one will lift up [this] his fellow:
but woe to him that is alone when he falleth;
for he hath not another to help him up.
¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have heat:
but how can one be warm alone?
¹² And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand [stand against] him;
and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Advancement (4:13-16)

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king,
who will no more be admonished.
¹⁴ For out of prison [a house of bondage] he cometh to reign;
whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
¹⁵ I considered [this] all the living which walk under the sun,
with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
¹⁶ 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.