Ecclesiastes 4:12
<< Ecclesiastes 4:12 >>
New International Version (©1984)
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

New Living Translation (©2007)
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.

English Standard Version (©2001)
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.

King James Bible
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

American King James Version
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

American Standard Version
And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Bible in Basic English
And two attacked by one would be safe, and three cords twisted together are not quickly broken.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.

Darby Bible Translation
And if a man overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

English Revised Version
And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.

World English Bible
If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Young's Literal Translation
And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.

Geneva Study Bible

And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold {g} cord is not quickly broken.

(g) By this proverb he declares how necessary it is, that men should live in society.

Wesley's Notes

4:12 Prevail - Against either of them.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. one-enemy.

threefold cord-proverbial for a combination of many-for example, husband, wife, and children (Pr 11:14); so Christians (Lu 10:1; Col 2:2, 19). Untwist the cord, and the separate threads are easily "broken."

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:9-12 Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. They warm each other's hearts while they converse together of the love of Christ, or join in singing his praises. Then let us improve our opportunities of Christian fellowship. In these things all is not vanity, though there will be some alloy as long as we are under the sun. Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Christ will by his Spirit come to them; then there is a threefold cord.


Ecclesiastes 4:11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?
Ecclesiastes 4:13 A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction. (NASB ©1995)

Alone Apart Attacked Broken Cord Cords Defend Hastily Overpower Overpowered Prevail Prevaileth Prevails Quickly Resist Safe Stand Strands Strengthen Themselves Three Together Torn Twisted Withstand

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

and if 2Sa 23:9,16,18,19,23 Da 3:16,17 Eph 4:3

Bible Gateway: Ecclesiastes Chapter 4 Verse 12 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: A alone And apart be broken can cord defend him if is may not of one overpower overpowered quickly resist strands themselves Though three torn two who

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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:12 If a man prevails against one who (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools

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