⁹ Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ 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.
¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

²⁰ Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.^(A)

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.