4:9 Two people are better than one,
because they can reap 1 more benefit 2 from their labor.
4:11 Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm,
but how can one person keep warm by himself?
4:12 Although an assailant may overpower 3 one person,
two can withstand him.
Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.
9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
12:11 The words of the sages are like prods, 4
and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails;
they are given by one shepherd.
1 tn Heb “they have.”
2 tn Heb “a good reward.”
3 tn The verbal root תקף means “to overpower; to prevail over” e.g., Job 14:20; 15:24; Eccl 4:12; 6:10 (HALOT 1786 s.v. תקף).
5 tn Or “goads”; NCV “sharp sticks used to guide animals.” For further information see M. A. Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation, 29–32.