Ecclesiastes 4:2-12

²So I considered those who are already dead more fortunate than the living, who are still alive.

³However, more fortunate than both of them is the one who has not yet lived, the one who has not seen any of the evil acts that are done under the sun.

⁴Then I saw that every act of labor and every skillful work became the envy of one's neighbor. This also is vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind.

⁵The fool folds his hands and does not work, so his food is his own flesh.

⁶But better is a handful of profit with quiet work than two handfuls with the work that tries to shepherd the wind.

⁷Then I thought again about more futility, more vanishing vapor under the sun.

⁸There is the kind of man who is alone. He does not have anyone, no son or brother. There is no end to all his work, and his eyes are not satisfied with gaining wealth. He wonders, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vapor, a bad situation.

⁹Two people work better than one; together they can earn a good pay for their labor.

¹⁰For if one falls, the other can lift up his friend. However, sorrow follows the one who is alone when he falls if there is no one to lift him up.

¹¹If two lie down together, they can be warm, but how can one be warm alone?

¹²One man alone can be overpowered, but two can withstand an attack, and a three-strand rope is not quickly broken.