And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. | I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and striving after wind. |
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. | Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. |
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If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. | For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up! |
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. | And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. |