Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. English Standard Version For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Berean Standard Bible For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! King James Bible 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. New King James Version For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. New American Standard Bible 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! NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not a second one to lift him up. Amplified Bible for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. Christian Standard Bible For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Holman Christian Standard Bible For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. American Standard Version For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. Contemporary English Version If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble. English Revised Version For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. GOD'S WORD® Translation If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is [all] alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up. Good News Translation If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it's just too bad, because there is no one to help him. International Standard Version If they stumble, the first will lift up his friend—but woe to anyone who is alone when he falls and there is no one to help him get up. Majority Standard Bible For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! NET Bible For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up. New Heart English Bible For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up. Webster's Bible Translation 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 to rise. World English Bible For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor if they fall, the one raises up his companion, but woe to the one who falls and there is not a second to raise him up! Young's Literal Translation For if they fall, the one raiseth up his companion, but woe to the one who falleth and there is not a second to raise him up! Smith's Literal Translation For if they shall fall, the one will raise up his companion: and wo to him, the one that shall fall, and not a second to raise him up. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up. Catholic Public Domain Version If one falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up. New American Bible If the one falls, the other will help the fallen one. But woe to the solitary person! If that one should fall, there is no other to help. New Revised Standard Version For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls; for there is none to lift him up. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated For if one falls, his companion lifts him up; but grieve for him who is alone, for if he falls, there is no one to lift him up OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. Brenton Septuagint Translation For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Evil of Oppression…9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. 10For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! 11Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?… Cross References Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. / Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 1 Corinthians 12:26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Job 6:14 A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. Luke 10:30-37 Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. / So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. ... 1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. Matthew 18:19-20 Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. / For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.” Treasury of Scripture For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up. if Exodus 32:2-4,21 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me… Deuteronomy 9:19,20 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also… 1 Samuel 23:16 And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. but Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 2 Samuel 14:6 And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him. Jump to Previous Alone Companion Either Fall Falleth Falls Fellow Friend Hand Help Helper Lift Pity Raise Raiseth Rise Second Unhappy Wo WoeJump to Next Alone Companion Either Fall Falleth Falls Fellow Friend Hand Help Helper Lift Pity Raise Raiseth Rise Second Unhappy Wo WoeEcclesiastes 4 1. vanity is increased unto men by oppression4. by envy 5. by idleness 7. by covetousness 9. by solitariness 13. by willfulness For if one falls down This phrase highlights the inevitability of human weakness and the need for support. In the biblical context, falling can be both literal and metaphorical, representing physical, emotional, or spiritual struggles. The Bible often uses the imagery of falling to describe sin or failure (Proverbs 24:16). The acknowledgment of human frailty is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the need for community and support. his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. 2. Israel - The nation over which Solomon reigned, providing the cultural and historical context for the book of Ecclesiastes. 3. Companionship - The central theme of this verse, emphasizing the importance of having supportive relationships. Teaching Points The Value of CompanionshipCompanionship is a God-given gift that provides support and encouragement in times of need. The Danger of Isolation Being alone can lead to vulnerability and hardship, emphasizing the need for community and fellowship. The Role of the Church The church is called to be a community where believers support and uplift one another, reflecting the principles found in Ecclesiastes 4:10. Practical Help and Support Christians are encouraged to actively seek ways to help those around them, offering practical support and encouragement. Spiritual Accountability Having companions in faith provides accountability, helping believers to stay on the right path and grow spiritually.(10) Woe.--The word occurs only here and in Ecclesiastes 10:16, but is common in post-Biblical Hebrew.Verse 10. - Koheleth illustrates the benefit of association by certain familiar examples. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. If one or the other fall, the companion will aid him. The idea is that two travelers are making their way over a rough road - an experience that every one must have had in Palestine. Vulgate, Si unus ceciderit. Of course, if both fell at the same time, one could not help the other. Commentators quote Homer, 'Iliad,' 10:220-226, thus rendered by Lord Derby - "Nestor, that heart is mine; "Clear before us through the darkness Hebrew Forכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction if אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not one הָאֶחָ֖ד (hā·’e·ḥāḏ) Article | Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first falls down, יִפֹּ֔לוּ (yip·pō·lū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5307: To fall, lie his companion חֲבֵר֑וֹ (ḥă·ḇê·rōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2270: United, associate, companion can lift him up; יָקִ֣ים (yā·qîm) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand but pity וְאִ֣יל֗וֹ (wə·’î·lōw) Conjunctive waw, Pi | Interjection | third person masculine singular Strong's 337: Alas! the one הָֽאֶחָד֙ (hā·’e·ḥāḏ) Article | Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first who falls שֶׁיִּפּ֔וֹל (še·yip·pō·wl) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie without וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle another שֵׁנִ֖י (šê·nî) Number - ordinal masculine singular Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number) to help him up! לַהֲקִימֽוֹ׃ (la·hă·qî·mōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand Links Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIVEcclesiastes 4:10 NLT Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV Ecclesiastes 4:10 NASB Ecclesiastes 4:10 KJV Ecclesiastes 4:10 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 4:10 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 4:10 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 4:10 French Bible Ecclesiastes 4:10 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:10 For if they fall the one will (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
    |