Ecclesiastes 4:4-15

⁴Again, I considered all labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

⁵The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with toil and vexation of spirit.

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

⁸There is one alone , and there is not a second; yes, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he , For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a grievous labor.

⁹Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.

¹⁰For 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 to rise.

¹¹Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone ?

¹²And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.

¹³Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

¹⁵I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.