Ecclesiastes 4:3 nasb — But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done un…

NASB

"But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun."

— Ecclesiastes 4:3, NASB

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Ecclesiastes 4:3 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 4 — Context

1

Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.

2

So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living.

3

But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

4

I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

5

The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

6

One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:3 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 4:3 say?
Ecclesiastes 4:3 in the NASB reads: “But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 4:3 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 4:3 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 4, verse 3.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 4:3.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 4:3 in?
Ecclesiastes 4:3 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 4:3?
Ecclesiastes 4:3 reads (NASB): “But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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