Ecclesiastes 4

“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“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.” Naming Yea keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also…” Naming Again keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.” The line’s distinctive content terms include eateth, flesh, foldeth. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.” Naming Better keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.” The line’s distinctive content terms include returned, vanity. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.” Naming Better keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.