Parallel Verses

Holman Bible

But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

New American Standard Bible

But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

King James Version

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.

International Standard Version

Better than both of them is someone who has not yet been born, because he hasn't experienced evil on earth.

American Standard Version

yea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Amplified

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.

Bible in Basic English

Yes, happier than the dead or the living seemed he who has not ever been, who has not seen the evil which is done under the sun.

Darby Translation

and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Julia Smith Translation

And good above them two which were not yet, which saw not the evil work which was done under the sun.

King James 2000

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

Lexham Expanded Bible

But better [off] than both of them is the one who has not yet been born and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

Modern King James verseion

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

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

Yea, him that is yet unborn to be better at ease than they both, because he seeth not the miserable works that are done under the Sun.

NET Bible

But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.

New Heart English Bible

Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

The Emphasized Bible

and, as better than both, him who had not yet come into being, - who had not seen the vexatious work, which was done under the sun.

Webster

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

World English Bible

Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Youngs Literal Translation

And better than both of them is he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
is he than both
שׁתּים שׁנים 
Sh@nayim 
Usage: 767

עדנּה עדן 
`aden 
yet
Usage: 2

been, who hath not seen
ראה 
Ra'ah 
Usage: 1308

מעשׂה 
Ma`aseh 
Usage: 234

References

Verse Info

Context Readings

The Existence Of Oppression In The World Makes Human Existence Miserable

2 So I admired the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive. 3 But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun. 4 I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man’s jealousy of his friend. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.


Cross References

Luke 23:29

Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate!’

Job 3:10-16

For that night did not shut
the doors of my mother’s womb,
and hide sorrow from my eyes.

Job 3:22

who are filled with much joy
and are glad when they reach the grave?

Job 10:18-19

“Why did You bring me out of the womb?
I should have died and never been seen.

Psalm 55:6-11

I said, “If only I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and find rest.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:17

Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:3-5

A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.

Jeremiah 9:2-3

If only I had a traveler’s lodging place
in the wilderness,
I would abandon my people
and depart from them,
for they are all adulterers,
a solemn assembly of treacherous people.

Jeremiah 20:17-18

because he didn’t kill me in the womb
so that my mother might have been my grave,
her womb eternally pregnant.

Matthew 24:19

Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days!

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain