Parallel Verses

Julia Smith Translation

And if one shall become strong against him, two shall stand before him; and a three-fold thread shall not be quickly broken.

New American Standard Bible

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

King James Version

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Holman Bible

And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

International Standard Version

If someone attacks one of them, the two of them together will resist. Furthermore, the tri-braided cord is not soon broken.

American Standard Version

And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Amplified

And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Bible in Basic English

And two attacked by one would be safe, and three cords twisted together are not quickly broken.

Darby Translation

And if a man overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

King James 2000

And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Lexham Expanded Bible

{Although an assailant may overpower one person, two may withstand him}. A threefold cord {is not easily broken}!

Modern King James verseion

And if one overthrows him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

One may be overcome, but two may make resistance: A threefold cable is not lightly broken.

NET Bible

Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.

New Heart English Bible

If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The Emphasized Bible

And, though an enemy should prevail against one, two, might make a stand before him, - and, a threefold cord, cannot soon be broken.

Webster

And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.

World English Bible

If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Youngs Literal Translation

And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
And if one
אחד 
'echad 
Usage: 432

תּקף 
Taqaph 
Usage: 3

שׁתּים שׁנים 
Sh@nayim 
Usage: 767

him and a threefold
שׁלשׁ 
Shalash 
Usage: 9

חוּט 
Chuwt 
Usage: 7

is not quickly
מהרה 
M@herah 
Usage: 20

References

Images Ecclesiastes 4:12

Prayers for Ecclesiastes 4:12

Context Readings

Friends And Family Can Help One Another In Life

11 Also if two shall lie down, and heat to them: and to the one it shall not be warm. 12 And if one shall become strong against him, two shall stand before him; and a three-fold thread shall not be quickly broken. 13 Good a poor and wise child above an old and foolish king, who knew not more to receive instruction.

Cross References

Daniel 3:16-17

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego answered, and saying to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we need not to turn back to thee upon this word.

2 Samuel 23:18-19

And Abishai Joab's brother, son of Zeruiah, he the head of the three. And he raised up his spear against three hundred wounded, and to him a name among the three.

2 Samuel 23:23

He was honored above the thirty, and to the three he came not. And David will set him to his audience.

2 Samuel 23:9

And after him Eleazar son of Dodo, son of Ahohi, among the three mighty with David in their upbraiding the rovers; they were gathered together there to war, and the men of Israel will go up.

2 Samuel 23:16

And the three mighty will break forth through the camp of the rovers, and draw waters from the well of the House of Bread, which is in the gate, and they will lift up and bring to David: and he would not drink them, and he will pour them out to Jehovah.

Ephesians 4:3

Striving earnestly to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain