Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
So I commended the dead who had already died as being happier than the living who are still alive.
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,
American Standard Version
Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;
Amplified
So I congratulated and thought more fortunate are those who are already dead than the living who are still living.
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 Next I turned to consider all kinds of oppression that exists on earth. Look at the tears of the oppressed there is no one to comfort them. Power is on the side of their oppressors; so they have no comforters. 2 So I commended the dead who had already died as being happier than the living who are still alive. 3 Better than both of them is someone who has not yet been born, because he hasn't experienced evil on earth.
Phrases
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 2:17
So I hated life, because whatever is done on earth causes me trouble it's all pointless, like chasing after the wind.
Job 3:11-26
Why didn't I die while I was still in the womb, or die while I was being born?
Ecclesiastes 9:4-6
"While someone is among the living, hope remains," because "it is better to be a living dog than to be a dead lion."