Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. New Living Translation Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless. English Standard Version Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. Berean Standard Bible Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter. King James Bible So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. New King James Version Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter— On the side of their oppressors there is power, But they have no comforter. New American Standard Bible Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and power was on the side of their oppressors, but they had no one to comfort them. NASB 1995 Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. NASB 1977 Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. Legacy Standard Bible Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. Amplified Bible 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. Christian Standard Bible Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them. Holman Christian Standard Bible Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them. American Standard Version Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Contemporary English Version I looked again and saw people being mistreated everywhere on earth. They were crying, but no one was there to offer comfort, and those who mistreated them were powerful. English Revised Version Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter. GOD'S WORD® Translation Next, I turned to look at all the acts of oppression that make people suffer under the sun. Look at the tears of those who suffer! No one can comfort them. Their oppressors have [all] the power. No one can comfort those who suffer. Good News Translation Then I looked again at all the injustice that goes on in this world. The oppressed were crying, and no one would help them. No one would help them, because their oppressors had power on their side. International Standard Version 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. Majority Standard Bible Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter. NET Bible So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors. New Heart English Bible Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and look, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Webster's Bible Translation So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. World English Bible Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and behold, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their oppressors [is] power, and they have no comforter. Young's Literal Translation And I have turned, and I see all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and lo, the tear of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and at the hand of their oppressors is power, and they have no comforter. Smith's Literal Translation And I turned back, and I shall see all the oppressions which are doing under the sun: and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and none comforting to them; and from the hand of those oppressing them was power, and none comforting to them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any. Catholic Public Domain Version I turned myself to other things, and I saw the false accusations which are carried out under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and that there was no one to console them; and that they were not able to withstand their violence, being destitute of all help. New American Bible Again I saw all the oppressions that take place under the sun: the tears of the victims with none to comfort them! From the hand of their oppressors comes violence, and there is none to comfort them! New Revised Standard Version Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. Look, the tears of the oppressed—with no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power—with no one to comfort them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSO I turned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun; and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter to deliver them from the hand of their oppressors, having neither strength nor helper. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I turned and I have seen all the oppressions that are committed under the sun, behold, the tears of the oppressed, and there is no comforter for them from the hand of their oppressors of power, and they have no helper OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun; and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter. Brenton Septuagint Translation So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Evil of Oppression1Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter. 2So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.… Cross References James 5:1-6 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ... Exodus 3:7-9 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them. Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress. Job 24:12 From the city, men groan, and the souls of the wounded cry out, yet God charges no one with wrongdoing. Psalm 12:5 “For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.” Proverbs 22:16 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty. Isaiah 59:13-15 rebelling and denying the LORD, turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lies from the heart. / So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. / Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Isaiah 10:1-2 Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. Luke 6:21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Psalm 72:4 May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. Romans 8:18-23 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. / The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. / For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope ... Psalm 94:5-7 They crush Your people, O LORD; they oppress Your heritage. / They kill the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless. / They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.” Treasury of Scripture So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. i returned Job 6:29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. and considered Ecclesiastes 3:16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. Ecclesiastes 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. the tears Psalm 42:3,9 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? … Psalm 80:5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Psalm 102:8,9 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me… they had Job 16:4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. Job 19:21,22 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me… Psalm 69:20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. Jump to Previous Acts Comfort Comforter Considered Cruel Evil Evil-Doers Hand Hands Oppressed Oppression Oppressions Oppressors Power Practiced Side Sun Tear Tears Turned WeepingJump to Next Acts Comfort Comforter Considered Cruel Evil Evil-Doers Hand Hands Oppressed Oppression Oppressions Oppressors Power Practiced Side Sun Tear Tears Turned WeepingEcclesiastes 4 1. vanity is increased unto men by oppression4. by envy 5. by idleness 7. by covetousness 9. by solitariness 13. by willfulness Again I looked The phrase "Again I looked" indicates a continuation of the observations made by the Preacher, traditionally understood to be Solomon. The Hebrew root for "looked" is "ra'ah," which means to see or perceive. This suggests a deep, contemplative observation rather than a casual glance. Solomon, with his God-given wisdom, is reflecting on the human condition, emphasizing the repetitive nature of his observations about life "under the sun." and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun I saw the tears of the oppressed and they have no comforter power was on the side of their oppressors and they have no comforter (1) Having dwelt on the instability of human happiness, the Preacher now turns to contemplate the actual misery of which the world is full. Oppressions.--Job 35:9; Amos 3:9. No comforter.--If Solomon were the writer, one asks, What was the king about? Could he do nothing but express helpless despair? Verses 1-16. - Section 5. Koheleth proceeds to give further illustrations of man's inability to be the architect of his own happiness. There are many things which interrupt or destroy it. Verses 1-3. - First of all, he adduces the oppression of man by his fellow-man. Verse 1. - So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun. This is equivalent to, "again I saw," as ver. 7, with a reference to the wickedness in the place of judgment which he had noticed in Ecclesiastes 3:16. Ashukim, "oppressions," is found in Job 35:9 and Amos 3:9, and, being properly a participle passive, denotes oppressed persons or things, and so abstractedly "oppressions." Τὰς συκοφαντίας (Septuagint); calumnias (Vulgate). The verb is used of high-handed injustice, of offensive selfishness, of the hindrances to his neighbor's well-being caused by a man's careless disregard of aught but his own interests (comp. 1 Samuel 12:4; Hosea 12:8, etc.). Beheld the tears of such as were oppressed; τῶν συκοφαντουμένων (Septuagint); innocentium (Vulgate). He notes now not merely the fact of wrong being done, but its effect on the victim, and intimates his own pity for the sorrow. And they had no comforter. A sad refrain, echoed again at the end of the verse with touching pathos. Οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς παρακαλῶν (Septuagint); they had no earthly friends to visit them in their affliction, and they as yet knew not the soothing of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter (Παράκλητος). There was no one to wipe away their tears (Isaiah 25:8) or to redress their wrongs. The point is the powerlessness of man in the face of these disorders, his inability to right himself, the incompetence of others to aid him. On the side of their oppressors there was power (koach), in a bad sense, like the Greek βία equivalent to "violence." Thus the ungodly say, in the Book of Wisdom 2:11, "Let our strength be the law of justice." Vulgate, Nec posse resistere eorun violentiae, cunctorum auxilio destitutes. It is difficult to suppose that the state of things revealed by this verse existed in the days of King Solomon, or that so powerful a monarch, and one admired for "judgment and justice" (1 Kings 10:9), would be content with complaining of such disorders instead of checking them. There is no token of remorse for past unprofitableness or anguish of heart at the thought of failure in duty. If we take the words as the utterance of the real Solomon, we do violence to history, and must correct the existing chronicles of his reign. The picture here presented is one of later times, and it may be of other countries. Persian rule, or the tyranny of the Ptolemies, might afford an original from which it might be taken.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Again,וְשַׁ֣בְתִּֽי (wə·šaḇ·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again I אֲנִ֗י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I observed וָאֶרְאֶה֙ (wā·’er·’eh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 7200: To see all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the oppression עֹֽשְׁקֵיהֶם֙ (‘ō·šə·qê·hem) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6231: To press upon, oppress, defraud, violate, overflow taking place נַעֲשִׂ֖ים (na·‘ă·śîm) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make under תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of the sun. הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ (haš·šā·meš) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement [I] saw וְהִנֵּ֣ה ׀ (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! the tears דִּמְעַ֣ת (dim·‘aṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1832: Tears (of one weeping) of the oppressed, הָעֲשֻׁקִ֗ים (hā·‘ă·šu·qîm) Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural Strong's 6217: Oppression, extortion and they had no וְאֵ֤ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle comforter; מְנַחֵ֔ם (mə·na·ḥêm) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge the power [lay] כֹּ֔חַ (kō·aḥ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species) in the hands [of their oppressors], וּמִיַּ֤ד (ū·mî·yaḏ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand and there was no וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle comforter. מְנַחֵֽם׃ (mə·na·ḥêm) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge Links Ecclesiastes 4:1 NIVEcclesiastes 4:1 NLT Ecclesiastes 4:1 ESV Ecclesiastes 4:1 NASB Ecclesiastes 4:1 KJV Ecclesiastes 4:1 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 4:1 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 4:1 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 4:1 French Bible Ecclesiastes 4:1 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:1 Then I returned and saw all (Ecclesiast. 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