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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 4:10 Lit they fall
  2. Ecclesiastes 4:10 Lit a second
  3. Ecclesiastes 4:11 Lit have warmth
  4. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Lit he

Two are better than one because a good return comes when two work together. 10 If one of them falls, the other can help him up. But who will help the pitiful person who falls down alone? 11 In the same way, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm. But how will the one who sleeps alone stay warm against the night? 12 And if one person is vulnerable to attack, two can drive the attacker away. As the saying goes, “A rope made of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Read full chapter

9-10 It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!

11 Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.

12 By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.

* * *

Read full chapter

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Read full chapter