Ecclesiastes 4:6,9-12
Ecclesiastes 4:6 The Message (MSG)
One handful of peaceful repose Is better than two fistfuls of worried work— More spitting into the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10-12 The Message (MSG)
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! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. 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. * * *
Ecclesiastes 4:6 King James Version (KJV)
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 King James Version (KJV)
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 New Century Version (NCV)
Maybe so, but I say it is better to be content with what little you have. Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more, and that is like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New Century Version (NCV)
Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help. If two lie down together, they will be warm, but a person alone will not be warm. An enemy might defeat one person, but two people together can defend themselves; a rope that is woven of three strings is hard to break.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 American Standard Version (ASV)
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 American Standard Version (ASV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 New International Version (NIV)
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New International Version (NIV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New King James Version (NKJV)
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 Amplified Bible (AMP)
One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. Again, if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 New Living Translation (NLT)
And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 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.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 English Standard Version 2025 (ESV)
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 English Standard Version 2025 (ESV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
