NET Bible
"So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive."
— Ecclesiastes 4:2, NET Bible
“Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.”
“Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive; ”
“Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.”
“And I praised the dead rather than the living:”
“So my praise was for the dead who have gone to their death, more than for the living who still have life.”
“Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.”
Evil Oppression on Earth So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.
So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive.
But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.
Labor Motivated by Envy Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless– like chasing the wind.
The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.