⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor; ¹⁰ for if ^[a]either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not ^[b]another to lift him up! ¹¹ Furthermore, if two lie down together they ^[c]keep warm, but ^(A)how can one be warm alone? ¹² And if ^[d]one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

^9 [a]Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your ^(A)futile life which He has given you under the sun, ^[b]all the days of your futility; for this is your ^(B)reward in life and in your work which you have labored under the sun.