Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
Modern English Version
7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
8 There is a man who is alone,
neither having son or brother,
and there is not an end to all his toil,
and his eyes are not satisfied with riches to say,
“For whom do I labor
and cause my life to lack good things?”
Also this is vanity
and a burdensome task.
9 Two are better than one,
because there is a good reward for their labor together.
10 For if they fall,
then one will help up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls
and has no one to help him up.
11 Also if two lie down together, then they will keep warm;
but how can one keep warm by himself?
12 And if someone might overpower another by himself,
two together can withstand him.
A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
Lexham English Bible
Wealth without Someone with Which to Enjoy It is Futile
7 I turned again and saw another vanity under the sun. 8 Sometimes a man is all alone with no companion; he also has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eye is not satisfied with wealth. He laments, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself[a] of pleasure?” This also is vanity—it is an unhappy business!
Friends and Family Can Help One Another in Life
9 Two are better than the one, for they enjoy a better reward for their toil. 10 For if one falls, his companion may help him up. But pity the one who falls and there is no one[b] to help him up. 11 Also if two lie together, they can keep each other warm.[c] But how can one person be warm? 12 Although an assailant may overpower one person, two may withstand him.[d] A threefold cord is not easily broken![e]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 4:8 Literally “his soul”
- Ecclesiastes 4:10 Literally “there is not a second”
- Ecclesiastes 4:11 Literally “and it will be warm for them”
- Ecclesiastes 4:12 Literally “And even though he will prevail against him, the one; the second, they will withstand opposite him”
- Ecclesiastes 4:12 Literally “will not be broken in haste”
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