8 Sometimes a man is all alone with no companion; he also has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eye is not satisfied with wealth. He laments, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity—it is an unhappy business!
9 Two are better than the one, for they enjoy a better reward for their toil.
10 For if one falls, his companion may help him up. But pity the one who falls and there is no one to help him up.
11 Also if two lie together, they can keep each other warm. But how can one person be warm?
12 Although an assailant may overpower one person, two may withstand him. A threefold cord is not easily broken!
13 A poor but wise youth is better than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.
14 For he came out of the prison house to reign, since he was born poor in his kingdom.