Bible in Basic English
"Then I came back, and I saw an example of what is to no purpose under the sun."
— Ecclesiastes 4:7, Bible in Basic English
“Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.”
And I saw that the cause of all the work and of everything which is done well was man's envy of his neighbour. This again is to no purpose and a desire for wind.
The foolish man, folding his hands, takes the flesh of his body for food.
One hand full of rest is better than two hands full of trouble and desire for wind.
Then I came back, and I saw an example of what is to no purpose under the sun.
It is one who is by himself, without a second, and without son or brother; but there is no end to all his work, and he has never enough of wealth. For whom, then, am I working and keeping myself from pleasure? This again is to no purpose, and a bitter work.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their work.
And if one has a fall, the other will give him a hand; but unhappy is the man who is by himself, because he has no helper.