Ecclesiastes 4:9
7 Again, I saw futility under the sun.
8 There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.
10 For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.
- KJV
- Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
- WEB
- Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
- ASV
- Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
- DARBY
- Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
- BLB
- Two [are] better than the one, because there is for them a good wage for their toil;
- ÅB
- Bedre å være to enn én, for de har god lønn for sitt strev;
- OTB
- To er mer effektive enn én, da de har en god avkastning for sine anstrengelser:
- B1930
- Bedre å være to enn én, for de har god lønn for sitt strev;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Read in contextGenesis 2:18
The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”
Read in context1 Corinthians 12:18–21
But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.
Read in contextNumbers 11:14
I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me.
Read in contextMark 6:7
Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.
Read in contextJohn 4:36
Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together.
Read in contextRuth 2:12
May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.”
Read in contextExodus 4:14–16
Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well, and he is now on his way to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
Read in context