Ecclesiastes 4:9-16
New American Standard Bible
9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor; 10 for if [a]either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not [b]another to lift him up! 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they [c]keep warm, but (A)how can one be warm alone? 12 And if [d]one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
13 A (B)poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive [e]instruction— 14 for he has come (C)out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. 15 I have seen all those living under the sun move to the side of the second youth who [f]replaces him. 16 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them. Even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him; for this too is (D)futility and striving after wind.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 4:10 Lit they fall
- Ecclesiastes 4:10 Lit a second
- Ecclesiastes 4:11 Lit have warmth
- Ecclesiastes 4:12 Lit he
- Ecclesiastes 4:13 Or warning
- Ecclesiastes 4:15 Lit stands in his place
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
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