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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 4:4–12

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
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Cross References

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From verse 4

  1. 1 John 3:12Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

  2. Ecclesiastes 1:14Rank 2 from verse 4
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    14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  3. Ecclesiastes 2:21Rank 3 from verse 4
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    21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

  4. Ecclesiastes 2:26Rank 4 from verse 4
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    26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  5. 1 Samuel 18:14–16Rank 5 from verse 4
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    14And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.

    15Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

    16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

  6. 1 Samuel 18:29–30Rank 6 from verse 4
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    29And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.

    30Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.

  7. 1 Samuel 18:8–9Rank 7 from verse 4
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    8And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

    9And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

  8. Ecclesiastes 4:16Rank 8 from verse 4
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    16There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  9. Ecclesiastes 6:9Rank 9 from verse 4
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    9¶ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

  10. Genesis 37:2–11Rank 10 from verse 4
    Open

    2These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

    3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

    4And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

    5¶ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

    6And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

    7For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

    8And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

    9¶ And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

    10And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

    11And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

  11. Genesis 4:4–8Rank 11 from verse 4
    Open

    4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

    5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

    6And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

    7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

    8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

  12. Matthew 27:18Rank 12 from verse 4
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    18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

  13. Proverbs 27:4Rank 13 from verse 4
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    4Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

  14. Acts 7:9Rank 14 from verse 4
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    9And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

  15. Ecclesiastes 6:11Rank 15 from verse 4
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    11¶ Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

  16. James 4:5Rank 16 from verse 4
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    5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

From verse 5

  1. Isaiah 9:20Rank 1 from verse 5
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    20And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

  2. Proverbs 6:10–11Rank 2 from verse 5
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    10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

    11So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

  3. Proverbs 13:4Rank 3 from verse 5
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    4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

  4. Job 13:14Rank 4 from verse 5
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    14Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

  5. Proverbs 20:4Rank 5 from verse 5
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    4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

  6. Proverbs 11:17Rank 6 from verse 5
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    17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

  7. Proverbs 12:27Rank 7 from verse 5
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    27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

  8. Proverbs 24:33–34Rank 8 from verse 5
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    33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

    34So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

From verse 6

  1. Proverbs 15:16–17Rank 1 from verse 6
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    16Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

    17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

  2. Proverbs 16:8Rank 2 from verse 6
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    8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

  3. Psalms 37:16Rank 3 from verse 6
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    16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

  4. Proverbs 17:1Rank 4 from verse 6
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    1BETTER is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

From verse 7

  1. Ecclesiastes 4:1Rank 1 from verse 7
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    1SO I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

  2. Psalms 78:33Rank 2 from verse 7
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    33Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

  3. Zechariah 1:6Rank 3 from verse 7
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    6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

From verse 8

  1. 1 John 2:16Rank 1 from verse 8
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    16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  2. Proverbs 27:20Rank 2 from verse 8
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    20Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

  3. Luke 12:20Rank 3 from verse 8
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    20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

  4. Ecclesiastes 1:8Rank 4 from verse 8
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    8All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

  5. Ecclesiastes 1:13Rank 5 from verse 8
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    13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

  6. Matthew 11:28Rank 6 from verse 8
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    28¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  7. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12Rank 7 from verse 8
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    9¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

    10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

    11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

    12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

  8. Ecclesiastes 5:10Rank 8 from verse 8
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    10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

  9. Genesis 2:18Rank 9 from verse 8
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    18¶ And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

  10. Isaiah 5:8Rank 10 from verse 8
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    8¶ Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

  11. Isaiah 56:3–5Rank 11 from verse 8
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    3¶ Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

    4For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

    5Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

  12. Psalms 39:6Rank 12 from verse 8
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    6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

  13. Ecclesiastes 2:23Rank 13 from verse 8
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    23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

  14. Genesis 15:2–3Rank 14 from verse 8
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    2And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

    3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

  15. Habakkuk 2:5–9Rank 15 from verse 8
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    5¶ Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

    6Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!

    7Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?

    8Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

    9¶ Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

  16. Isaiah 44:19–20Rank 16 from verse 8
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    19And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

    20He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

  17. Isaiah 55:2Rank 17 from verse 8
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    2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

From verse 9

  1. Proverbs 27:17Rank 1 from verse 9
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    17Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

  2. Genesis 2:18Rank 2 from verse 9
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    18¶ And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

  3. 1 Corinthians 12:18–21Rank 3 from verse 9
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    18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

    19And if they were all one member, where were the body?

    20But now are they many members, yet but one body.

    21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

  4. Mark 6:7Rank 4 from verse 9
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    7¶ And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

  5. Numbers 11:14Rank 5 from verse 9
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    14I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

  6. John 4:36Rank 6 from verse 9
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    36And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

  7. Ruth 2:12Rank 7 from verse 9
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    12The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

  8. Acts 13:2Rank 8 from verse 9
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    2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

  9. Exodus 4:14–16Rank 9 from verse 9
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    14And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

    15And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

    16And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

  10. Haggai 1:14Rank 10 from verse 9
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    14And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,

  11. 2 John 1:8Rank 11 from verse 9
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    8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

  12. Acts 15:39–40Rank 12 from verse 9
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    39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

    40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

From verse 10

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:11Rank 1 from verse 10
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    11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:18Rank 2 from verse 10
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    18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

  3. Galatians 6:1Rank 3 from verse 10
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    1BRETHREN, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

  4. Isaiah 35:3–4Rank 4 from verse 10
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    3¶ Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

    4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

  5. Job 4:3–4Rank 5 from verse 10
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    3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

    4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

  6. 1 Samuel 23:16Rank 6 from verse 10
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    16¶ And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

  7. Luke 22:31–32Rank 7 from verse 10
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    31¶ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

    32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

  8. 2 Samuel 12:7–14Rank 8 from verse 10
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    7¶ And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

    8And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

    9Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

    10Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

    11Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

    12For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

    13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

    14Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

  9. 2 Samuel 14:6Rank 9 from verse 10
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    6And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.

  10. Deuteronomy 9:19–20Rank 10 from verse 10
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    19For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the Lord was wroth against you to destroy you. But the Lord hearkened unto me at that time also.

    20And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.

  11. Exodus 32:2–4Rank 11 from verse 10
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    2And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.

    3And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

    4And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

  12. Genesis 4:8Rank 12 from verse 10
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    8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

  13. Exodus 32:21Rank 13 from verse 10
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    21And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

  14. Galatians 2:11–14Rank 14 from verse 10
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    11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

    12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

    13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

    14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

  15. 2 Samuel 11:27Rank 15 from verse 10
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    27And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.

From verse 11

  1. 1 Kings 1:1–4Rank 1 from verse 11
    Open

    1NOW king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

    2Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

    3So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

    4And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

From verse 12

  1. Daniel 3:16–17Rank 1 from verse 12
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    16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

    17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

  2. Ephesians 4:3Rank 2 from verse 12
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    3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

  3. 2 Samuel 23:9Rank 3 from verse 12
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    9And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:

  4. 2 Samuel 23:18–19Rank 4 from verse 12
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    18And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.

    19Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.

  5. 2 Samuel 23:23Rank 5 from verse 12
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    23He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

  6. 2 Samuel 23:16Rank 6 from verse 12
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    16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:4

COMBINED MEANING

again

↗

Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

considered

↗

Looked at, attended to, examined, or thought carefully about; took into account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

travail

↗

Sense 1: The painful labour and anguish of childbirth. Sense 2: To undergo such labour. Sense 3: Severe toil, trouble, sorrow, or suffering.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

right

↗

1. Correct, just, upright, proper, lawful, fitting, true, or due; also a rightful claim or authority. 2. The direction or side opposite the left. 3. Straight, favourable, skilful, or approved. 4. Very, quite, or fully.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

work

↗

Sense 1: Labour, occupation, an assigned task, or service. Sense 2: An action, deed, operation, effect, product, thing made, or manner of workmanship. Sense 3: To labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

envied

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of envy, meaning to feel such jealousy.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

vanity

↗

Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:5

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

foldeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of fold, meaning to bend, wrap, or enclose by doubling.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

eateth

↗

Third-person singular present form of eat, meaning to take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

flesh

↗

Sense 1: The soft substance of the body. Sense 2: The body, human nature, kindred, or mankind.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:6

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

travail

↗

Sense 1: The painful labour and anguish of childbirth. Sense 2: To undergo such labour. Sense 3: Severe toil, trouble, sorrow, or suffering.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:7

COMBINED MEANING

returned

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of return, meaning to go, come, send, or give back; to restore, answer, or turn again.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vanity

↗

Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sun

↗

The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:8

COMBINED MEANING

alone

↗

1. Without others, company, or help; by oneself. 2. Only or solely. 3. In "let ... alone," to leave undisturbed or refrain from interfering with.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

yea

↗

1. Indeed, marking confirmation, emphasis, addition, continuation, or heightening of what is said; it may also emphasize a question. 2. Yes, expressing an affirmative answer or declaration.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

neither

↗

1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

child

↗

1. A son or daughter; an offspring or descendant. 2. A young person or infant, considered by age or development. 3. In 'with child,' pregnant or carrying an unborn child. 4. One described as belonging to, derived from, characterized by, or dependent upon another person, group, or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

brother

↗

Sense 1: A male sibling; a near kinsman. Sense 2: A fellow member of a people or faith.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

yet

↗

1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

end

↗

Sense 1: The last or concluding part, termination, or limit. Sense 2: A purpose or intended result. Sense 3: As a verb, to cease or bring to a close.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

labour

↗

1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

eye

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ of sight; by extension, sight or seeing. Sense 2: Regard, judgment, disposition, or watchful attention, expressed figuratively by the eye. Sense 3: A small opening, as the eye of a needle. Sense 4: To watch or regard.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

satisfied

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of satisfy (to fill, content, supply sufficiently, or meet what is required).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

whom

↗

The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bereave

↗

To deprive; to strip; to make destitute; with of before the thing taken away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

soul

↗

Sense 1: A living person or creature; a life or self. Sense 2: The inward self distinguished from the body. Sense 3: The seat of desire or appetite.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vanity

↗

Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sore

↗

Sense 1: Painful, grievous, severe, or causing distress. Sense 2: Greatly, exceedingly, or intensely. Sense 3: A wound, ulcer, or tender or diseased place.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

travail

↗

Sense 1: The painful labour and anguish of childbirth. Sense 2: To undergo such labour. Sense 3: Severe toil, trouble, sorrow, or suffering.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:9

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

reward

↗

Sense 1: A benefit, payment, honour, punishment, or recompense given or received. Sense 2: As a verb, to give such a return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

labour

↗

1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:10

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fall

↗

Sense 1: To descend, drop, or lose an upright position. Sense 2: To be slain, defeated, overthrown, ruined, or brought down. Sense 3: To come upon or attack. Sense 4: To pass into a specified place, condition, power, or course, or to depart from a former standing. Sense 5: To happen, turn out, or be allotted. Sense 6: As a noun, descent, overthrow, ruin, or loss of standing.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lift

↗

Sense 1: To raise, bear up, or elevate physically. Sense 2: To direct upward or raise in expression, as the eyes, hands, voice, soul, prayer, or countenance. Sense 3: To exalt, restore, strengthen, or raise in condition or honour. Sense 4: To raise or wield against, as a hand, tool, weapon, or standard. Sense 5: In lift from off, to remove or take away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

alone

↗

1. Without others, company, or help; by oneself. 2. Only or solely. 3. In "let ... alone," to leave undisturbed or refrain from interfering with.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

falleth

↗

1. Comes or goes down, drops, collapses, bows, or is overthrown. 2. Comes upon or enters a state or condition. 3. Of a lot or portion, is assigned or belongs. 4. In ‘falleth out,’ happens or occurs. 5. In ‘falleth to,’ yields or goes over to another side.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

another

↗

1. In "one another" and like reciprocal or distributive constructions, each the other, or one in relation to the other or others. 2. One other, one more, or a different or additional person or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

help

↗

Sense 1: Aid, assistance, or relief. Sense 2: As a verb, to aid, assist, or support.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:11

COMBINED MEANING

again

↗

Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lie

↗

Sense 1: To recline, rest, remain, or be situated. Sense 2: In ‘lie with,’ to have sexual intercourse. Sense 3: To speak falsely. Sense 4: A false statement or deception.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heat

↗

Sense 1: Warmth or high temperature. Sense 2: To make or become hot.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

warm

↗

Sense 1: Having heat. Sense 2: Becoming heated. Sense 3: As a verb, to make oneself or another warm.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

alone

↗

1. Without others, company, or help; by oneself. 2. Only or solely. 3. In "let ... alone," to leave undisturbed or refrain from interfering with.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:12

COMBINED MEANING

against

↗

Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

cord

↗

A string or small rope made of twisted strands, including a line used for measuring.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 4:4–12

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

4:4¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

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4:5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

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4:6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

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4:7¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

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4:8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

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4:9¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

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4:10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

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4:11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

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4:12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

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