For 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 up. | 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. |
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. | Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. |
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To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. | There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. |
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. | Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. |
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. | Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. |
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. | Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. |
As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. | As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. |
Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. | So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless. |
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. | When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future. |
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. | Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. |