Parallel Verses
Amplified
So I congratulated and thought more fortunate are those who are already dead than the living who are still living.
New American Standard Bible
So
King James Version
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
Holman Bible
So I admired the dead,
International Standard Version
So I commended the dead who had already died as being happier than the living who are still alive.
American Standard Version
Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;
Bible in Basic English
So my praise was for the dead who have gone to their death, more than for the living who still have life.
Darby Translation
Then I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive;
Julia Smith Translation
And I praise the dead already dead more than the living they yet living.
King James 2000
Therefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
Lexham Expanded Bible
So I deemed the dead who have already died more [fortunate] than the living who are still alive.
Modern King James verseion
And I commended the dead who already have died, more than the living who are living now.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Wherefore I judged those that are dead, to be more happy than such as be alive.
NET Bible
So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive.
New Heart English Bible
Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.
The Emphasized Bible
So, I, pronounced happy the dead, who were, already, dead, - more than the living, who were living, still;
Webster
Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
World English Bible
Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.
Youngs Literal Translation
And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive.
Interlinear
Muwth
Chay
References
Fausets
Word Count of 19 Translations in Ecclesiastes 4:2
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Existence Of Oppression In The World Makes Human Existence Miserable
1 Then I looked again and considered all the acts of oppression that were being practiced under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and 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 and thought more fortunate are those who are already dead than the living who are still living. 3 But better off than either of them is the one who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
Phrases
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 2:17
So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun caused me only great sorrow; because all is futility and chasing after the wind.
Job 3:11-26
“Why did I not die at birth,
Come forth from the womb and expire?
Ecclesiastes 9:4-6
[There is no exemption,] but whoever is joined with all the living, has hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion.