Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
Better than both of them is someone who has not yet been born, because he hasn't experienced evil on earth.
New American Standard Bible
But
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.
Holman Bible
But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed,
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
Towb
Sh@nayim
Ra'ah
References
Fausets
Word Count of 19 Translations in Ecclesiastes 4:3
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Existence Of Oppression In The World Makes Human Existence Miserable
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. 4 Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.
Cross References
Luke 23:29
because the time is surely coming when people will say, "How blessed are the women who couldn't bear children and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'
Job 3:10-16
"Because that night refused to shut the doors of my mother's womb; it failed to keep me from seeing this trouble.
Job 3:22
To those who are happy beyond measure when they reach their graves?
Job 10:18-19
So why did you bring me out from the womb? I wish I had died, before anyone had seen me,
Psalm 55:6-11
I said, "O, who will give me the wings of a dove, so that I could fly away and live somewhere else?
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I observed every activity done on earth. My conclusion: all of it is pointless like chasing after the wind.
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.
Ecclesiastes 6:3-5
A man might father a hundred children, and live for many years, so that the length of his life is long but if his life does not overflow with goodness, and he doesn't receive a proper burial, I maintain that stillborn children are better off than he is,
Jeremiah 9:2-3
Oh, that I had a lodging place for travelers in the desert, so that I could leave my people and go away from them. For all of them are adulterers, a band of traitors.
Jeremiah 20:17-18
because he didn't kill me in the womb, so that my mother would have been my grave and her womb forever pregnant.
Matthew 24:19
"How terrible it will be for women who are pregnant or who are nursing babies in those days!