Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
Legacy Standard Bible
7 Then I looked again at vanity under the sun. 8 There was a certain man without a second man, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, (A)his eyes were not satisfied with riches—“And (B)for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of good?” This too is vanity, and it is a (C)grievous endeavor.
9 Two are better than one because they have good wages 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 a second one to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they [b]keep warm, but (D)how can one be warm alone? 12 And if [c]one can overpower him who is alone, two can stand against him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 4:10 Lit they fall
- Ecclesiastes 4:11 Lit have warmth
- Ecclesiastes 4:12 Lit he
Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
New Living Translation
The Advantages of Companionship
7 I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. 8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
9 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.
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