Ecclesiastes 4:3
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.In other versions
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.
ASV
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.
BBE
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.
DBY
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.
WEB
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.
YLT
Yea, better is he than either of them, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
ENG
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.
WBT
But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
BSB
In context
1So 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.
2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.