Ecclesiastes 4:1

Justice Poverty and the vulnerable Grief

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.

² Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

³ Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.
KJV: 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.
WEB: Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
ASV: Then I returned and saw 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.
DARBY: And I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, and they had no comforter.
BLB: And I turned, and I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and no one [is] comforting to them—while from the hand of those oppressing them [is] strength, and no one [is] comforting to them.

ÅB: Fremdeles så jeg alle de voldsgjerninger som skjer under solen; jeg så de undertryktes gråt - det var ingen som trøstet dem; jeg så voldsmennene bruke makt mot dem, og det var ingen som trøstet dem.
OTB: Igjen så jeg alle undertrykkelsens gjerninger som skjer under solen. Jeg så de undertryktes tårer, og de hadde ingen trøster; makten var på undertrykkernes side, og de hadde ingen trøster.
B1930: Fremdeles så jeg alle de voldsgjerninger som skjer under solen; jeg så de undertryktes gråt - det var ingen som trøstet dem; jeg så voldsmennene bruke makt mot dem, og det var ingen som trøstet dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ecclesiastes 3:16
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
Read in context
Ecclesiastes 5:8
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
Read in context
Isaiah 5:7
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
Read in context
2 Timothy 4:16–17
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Read in context
Isaiah 51:23
But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
Read in context
Lamentations 1:9
Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.
Read in context
Job 35:9
By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
Read in context
Psalms 42:3
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
Read in context