Ecclesiastes 4:3 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021

³ but better than both is the one who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

³ 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

³ But better than them both [I thought] is he who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

American Standard Version (1901)

³ 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.

Common English Bible

³ But happier than both are those who have never existed, who haven’t witnessed the terrible things that happen under the sun.

Catholic Public Domain Version

³ And happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which are done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4:3 Cross References

Luke 23:29

For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’

Matthew 24:19

Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days!

Ecclesiastes 2:17

So I hated life because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Job 3:22

who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave?

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun, and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.