Ecclesiastes 4:12 — Compare Translations

27 translations compared side by side

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

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

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

English Amplified

And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

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

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

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

English EASY 2024

If you are alone, one person might attack you and hurt you. But two people together can help each other to win the fight. If you use three strings to make a rope, it is difficult for anyone to break it.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

An enemy might be able to defeat one person, but two people can stand back-toback to defend each other. And three people are even stronger. They are like a rope that has three parts wrapped together—it is very hard to break.

English ESV 2016 == The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

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

English KJV 1611

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

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

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

And if someone might overpower another, two people can withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

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

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Where a lone man may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

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

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

One person could be overpowered. But two people can stand up for themselves. And a rope made out of three cords isn't easily broken.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

English NKJ 1982

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

And one standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

English Tyndale 1537

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