Discovery BoxEcclesiastes 4:9 
ContextLabor is Beneficial When Its Rewards Are Shared
4:9 Two people are better than one,
because they can reap 1 more benefit 2 from their labor.
Ecclesiastes 5:5
Context5:5 It is better for you not to vow
than to vow and not pay it. 3
Ecclesiastes 7:3
Context7:3 Sorrow 4 is better than laughter,
because sober reflection 5 is good for the heart. 6
Ecclesiastes 9:18
Context9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
1 tn Heb “they have.”
2 tn Heb “a good reward.”
3 tn The word “it” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
4 tn NEB suggests “grief”; NJPS, “vexation.”
5 tn Heb “in sadness of face there is good for the heart.”
6 tn Or possibly “Though the face is sad, the heart may be glad.”
