8A man who is all alone with no companion— he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is futile and a burdensome task! 9Two people are better than one because they can reap more benefit from their labor. 10For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up. 11Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself?12Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.