Ecclesiastes 4:9

Labor is Beneficial When Its Rewards Are Shared

4:9 Two people are better than one,

because they can reap ¹  more benefit ²  from their labor.

Ecclesiastes 4:11-12

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.

Ecclesiastes 9:18

9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,

but one sinner can destroy much that is good.

Ecclesiastes 12:11

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.

[4:9]  ¹ tn Heb “they have.”

[4:9]  ² tn Heb “a good reward.”

[4:12]  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).

[12:11]  ⁵ tn Or “goads”; NCV “sharp sticks used to guide animals.” For further information see M. A. Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation, 29–32.