Evil Oppression Often Takes Place on Earth

4:1 So¹ I again considered² all the evil oppression³ that continually occurs⁴ on earth,⁵
and I saw:⁶
Those who were oppressed⁷ were weeping with tears,⁸ but no one was comforting them;
no one delivers⁹ them from the power of their oppressors.
4:2 So I considered¹⁰ the dead who had already died
more fortunate than the living who are still alive.
4:3 But better than both of them is the one who has not yet been born
and has not seen the evil oppressive things that are done on earth.¹¹

Secular Human Labor is Often Motivated by Envy

4:4 Then I considered all the skillful work¹² that is done:
Surely it is nothing more than competition¹³ between one man and another.¹⁴
This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.
4:5 The fool folds his hands,¹⁵
so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.¹⁶
4:6 Better is one handful with quietness
than two hands full with toil¹⁷ and chasing the wind.

Secular Human Labor is Often Motivated by Selfish Greed

4:7 So¹⁸ I again considered¹⁹ another futile thing on earth:²⁰
4:8 A man who is all alone with no companion,²¹
he has no children nor siblings;²²
Yet there is no end to all his toil,
and he²³ is never satisfied with riches.
He laments,²⁴ “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself²⁵ of pleasure?!?”²⁶
This also is futile and an unhappy business!”²⁷

Secular Human Labor is Only Beneficial When Its Fruits Are Enjoyed with Another

4:9 Two people are better than one person,
because they can enjoy²⁸ a better benefit²⁹ from their toil.
4:10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion;
but pity³⁰ the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.
4:11 Furthermore, if two lie together, they can keep each other warm;
but how can one person keep warm by himself?
4:12 Although an assailant may overpower³¹ one person who is alone,³²
two would be able to withstand him.
Moreover, a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.

Secular Human Labor is Sometimes Motivated by Desired for Prestige

4:13 A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king
who no longer knows how to receive advice.
4:14 For he came out of prison³³ to become king,³⁴
even though he had been born poor in the old king’s³⁵ kingdom.
4:15 I considered all who living who were walking on earth,³⁶
as well as the second one³⁷ who would arise³⁸ in his place.
4:16 There is no end to all the people³⁹ nor to the past generations,⁴⁰
Yet future generations⁴¹ will not rejoice in him.
This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.