New Century Version

Ecclesiastes 4:1-7 New Century Version (NCV)

1. Again I saw all the people who were mistreated here on earth.I saw their tearsand that they had no one to comfort them.Cruel people had all the power,and there was no one to comfort those they hurt.

2. I decided that the deadare better off than the living.

3. But those who have never been bornare better off still;they have not seen the evilthat is done here on earth.

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.

5. Some say it is foolish to fold your hands and do nothing,because you will starve to death.

6. Maybe so, but I say it is better to be contentwith what little you have.Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more,and that is like chasing the wind.

7. Again I saw something here on earth that was useless: