Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

New International Reader's Version

⁸ A man lived all by himself.
    He didn’t have any sons or brothers.
His hard work never ended.
    But he wasn’t happy with what he had.
“Who am I working so hard for?” he asked.
    “Why don’t I get the things I enjoy?”
That doesn’t have any meaning either.
    In fact, it’s a very bad deal!

⁹ Two people are better than one.
    They can help each other in everything they do.
¹⁰ Suppose either of them falls down.
    Then the one can help the other one up.
But suppose a person falls down and doesn’t have anyone to help them up.
    Then feel sorry for that person!
¹¹ Or suppose two people lie down together.
    Then they’ll keep warm.
    But how can one person keep warm alone?
¹² One person could be overpowered.
    But two people can stand up for themselves.
    And a rope made out of three cords isn’t easily broken.