Ecclesiastes 4:8-10
New King James Version
8 There is one alone, without [a]companion:
He has neither son nor brother.
Yet there is no end to all his labors,
Nor is his (A)eye satisfied with riches.
But (B)he never asks,
“For whom do I toil and deprive myself of (C)good?”
This also is vanity and a [b]grave misfortune.
The Value of a Friend
9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 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.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 4:8 Lit. a second
- Ecclesiastes 4:8 Lit. evil task
Ecclesiastes 4:8-10
English Standard Version
8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his (A)eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, (B)“For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy (C)business.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 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!
Read full chapterScripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

