Ecclesiastes 4:4–12

The Vanity of Selfish Toil

4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

5 dThe fool folds his hands

And consumes his own flesh.

6 eBetter a handful with quietness

Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

8 There is one alone, without 2companion:

He has neither son nor brother.

Yet there is no end to all his labors,

Nor is his feye satisfied with riches.

But ghe never asks,

“For whom do I toil and deprive myself of hgood?”

This also is vanity and a 3grave misfortune.

The Value of a Friend

9 Two are better than one,

Because they have a good reward for their labor.

10 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.

11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;

But how can one be warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.