Ecclesiastes 4:12 nasb — And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

NASB

"And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."

— Ecclesiastes 4:12, NASB

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Ecclesiastes 4:12 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 4 — Context

9

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

10

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.

11

Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

12

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

13

A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.

14

For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

15

I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 4:12 say?
Ecclesiastes 4:12 in the NASB reads: “And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 4:12 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 4:12 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 4, verse 12.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 4:12.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 4:12 in?
Ecclesiastes 4:12 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 4:12?
Ecclesiastes 4:12 reads (NASB): “And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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