Ecclesiastes 4:1

And again I saw all the cruel things which are done under the sun; there was the weeping of those who have evil done to them, and they had no comforter: and from the hands of the evil-doers there went out power, but they had no comforter.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

2So my praise was for the dead who have gone to their death, more than for the living who still have life.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

Exodus 1:16When you are looking after the Hebrew women in childbirth, if it is a son you are to put him to death; but if it is a daughter, she may go on living.

Exodus 2:23Now after a long time the king of Egypt came to his end: and the children of Israel were crying in their grief under the weight of their work, and their cry for help came to the ears of God.

Exodus 5:18Go now, get back to your work; no dry stems will be given to you, but you are to make the full number of bricks.

Deuteronomy 28:48For this cause you will become servants to those whom the Lord your God will send against you, without food and drink and clothing, and in need of all things: and he will put a yoke of iron on your neck till he has put an end to you.

Judges 10:7And the wrath of the Lord was burning against Israel, and he gave them up into the hands of the Philistines and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

Job 6:29Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:1

Solomon, having shown the vanity of this world in the temptation which those in power feel to oppress and trample upon their subjects, here further shows, I. The temptation which the oppressed feel to discontent and impatience, ver. 1-3 . II. The temptation which those that love their case feel to take their case and neglect business, for fear of being envied, ver. 4-6 . III. The folly of hoarding up abundance of worldly wealth, ver. 7, 8 . IV. A remedy against that folly, in being made sensible of the benefit of… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 4:1