Ecclesiastes 4:9
New International Version
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

New Living Translation
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

English Standard Version
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

Berean Standard Bible
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

King James Bible
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

New King James Version
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

New American Standard Bible
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor;

NASB 1995
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

NASB 1977
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

Legacy Standard Bible
Two are better than one because they have good wages for their labor.

Amplified Bible
Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor;

Christian Standard Bible
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.

American Standard Version
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Two are better than one, for they have a good reward in their labor

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Two are better than one, seeing they have a good reward for their labour.

Contemporary English Version
You are better having a friend than to be all alone, because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn.

Douay-Rheims Bible
It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:

English Revised Version
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Two people are better than one because [together] they have a good reward for their hard work.

Good News Translation
Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively.

International Standard Version
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

JPS Tanakh 1917
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

Literal Standard Version
The two [are] better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labor.

Majority Standard Bible
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

New American Bible
Two are better than one: They get a good wage for their toil.

NET Bible
Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor.

New Revised Standard Version
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

New Heart English Bible
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

Webster's Bible Translation
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.

World English Bible
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

Young's Literal Translation
The two are better than the one, in that they have a good reward by their labour.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Evil of Oppression
8There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task. 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!…

Cross References
Ecclesiastes 4:8
There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: "For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?" This too is futile--a miserable task.

Ecclesiastes 4:10
For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!


Treasury of Scripture

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.

are

Genesis 2:18
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Exodus 4:14-16
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart…

Numbers 11:14
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

a good

Ruth 2:12
The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

John 4:36
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

2 John 1:8
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

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Ecclesiastes 4
1. vanity is increased unto men by oppression
4. by envy
5. by idleness
7. by covetousness
9. by solitariness
13. by willfulness














Verse 9. - Koheleth dwells upon the evils of isolation, and contrasts with them the comfort of companionship. Two are better than one. Literally, the clause refers to the two and the one mentioned in the preceding verse (Ἀγαθοὶ οἱ δύο ὑπὲρ τόν ἔνα, Septuagint); but the gnome is true in general. "Two heads are better than one," says our proverb. Because (asher here conjunctive, not relative) they have a good reward for their labor. The joint labors of two produce much more effect than the efforts of a solitary worker. Companionship is helpful and profitable. Ginsburg quotes the rabbinical sayings,, Either friendship or death;" and "A man without friends is like a left hand without the right." Thus the Greek gnome -

"Man helps his fellow, city saves."

Ξεὶρ χεῖρα νίπτει δάκτυλός τε δάκτυλον.

"Hand cleanseth hand, and finger cleanseth finger." (Comp. Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 27:17; Ecclus. 6:14.) So Christ sent out his apostles two and two (Mark 6:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Two
הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם (haš·šə·na·yim)
Article | Number - md
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

are better
טוֹבִ֥ים (ṭō·w·ḇîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

than
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

one,
הָאֶחָ֑ד (hā·’e·ḥāḏ)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

because
אֲשֶׁ֧ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they have
יֵשׁ־ (yêš-)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

a good
ט֖וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

return
שָׂכָ֥ר (śā·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7939: Payment of contract, salary, fare, maintenance, compensation, benefit

for their labor.
בַּעֲמָלָֽם׃ (ba·‘ă·mā·lām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5999: Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one because they (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 4:8
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