---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Ecclesiastes from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 4
verse_count: 16
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Ecclesiastes, chap. 4, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Ecclesiastes 4

**1** 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.
**4** Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
**5** The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
**6** Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
**7** Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
**8** There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
**9** Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
**10** For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
**11** Again, if two lie together, then they have heat; but how can one be warm alone?
**12** And if one prevail against me, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
**13** Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
**14** For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
**15** I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
**16** There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them; they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.