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 one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. |
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. | A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. |
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To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. | For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. |
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. | Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! |
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. | Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. |
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. | Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. |
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. | Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. |
Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. | So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is 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. | Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. |
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. | Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. |