Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 in English

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

¹⁴ For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because he also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

¹⁵ I beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

¹⁶ There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

¹⁵ I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

¹⁶ There 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.

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

¹⁵ I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

¹⁶ There 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.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

¹⁴ For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because he also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

¹⁵ I *saw all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

¹⁶ There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living which walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

¹³ A young man who is poor but wise is a better person than a foolish old king who refuses to pay attention when people try to give him good advice.

¹⁴ It is possible for a young man like that to succeed and some day become king, even if his parents were poor or even if he was in prison some of the time.

¹⁵ But then some other young man becomes king, and everyone ◄starts to support/is pleased with► him.

¹⁶ Large crowds of people crowd around him. But after a few years, they will reject him, too. So it is all senseless, like chasing after the wind.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knows not how to take heed any longer.

¹⁴ For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because he also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

¹⁵ I *saw all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one's place.

¹⁶ There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

¹³ A young man who is poor and wise is better than a king who is old and foolish and will not be guided by the wisdom of others.

¹⁴ Because out of a prison the young man comes to be king, though by birth he was only a poor man in the kingdom.

¹⁵ I saw all the living under the sun round the young man who was to be ruler in place of the king.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, of all those whose head he was, but they who come later will have no delight in him. This again is to no purpose and desire for wind.

¹³ Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.

¹⁵ I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.

¹⁶ There is no end of all the people, of all that stood before them; those however that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.

¹³ Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.

¹⁴ Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.

¹⁵ I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.

¹⁶ The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

¹³ A poor young person who's wise is better than an old and foolish king who no longer accepts advice.

¹⁴ He may even come out of prison to reign over his kingdom, even though he was born poor.

¹⁵ I observed everyone here on earth following the youth who takes his place.

¹⁶ He is surrounded by crowds of supporters, but the next generation isn't happy with him. This also illustrates the passing nature of life whose meaning is elusive, like pursuing the wind for understanding.

¹³ Better is a poore and wise childe, then an olde and foolish King, which will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of the prison he commeth forth to reigne: when as he that is borne in his kingdome, is made poore.

¹⁵ I behelde all the liuing, which walke vnder the sunne, with the second childe, which shall stand vp in his place.

¹⁶ There is none ende of all the people, nor of all that were before them, and they that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this is also vanitie and vexation of spirit.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

¹⁵ I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

¹⁶ There 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.

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to be admonished any more.

¹⁴ For out of the prison cometh the one to reign: whereas also in his kingdom the other becometh poor.

¹⁵ I have seen all the living who walk under the sun, being with the second child that is to stand up in his stead.

¹⁶ There was no end to all the people, belonging to all that have been before them: they also that come after will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a torture of the spirit.—

¹³ Better is a poor and wise child Than an old and foolish king, Who knows not how to take heed any longer.

¹⁴ For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, Because he also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

¹⁵ I beheld all the living Who were walking under the sun, With the second youth Who shall stand up in each one’s place.

¹⁶ There is no end to all the people, To all who were before them: And the last shall not rejoice in him: For this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.

¹³ Better is a child poor but wise, than a king old and foolish, who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of prison cometh forth such a one to reign; for in his own kingdom he was born a poor man.

¹⁵ I saw that all the living, who walk under the sun, were with the child who stood up in his stead.

¹⁶ There was no end to all the people before whom he went forth; yet they that come afterwards shall not rejoice in him. This also is vanity, and striving after wind.

¹³ It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to listen to warnings.

¹⁴ This is true even if the young man becomes king from prison, or even if he was born poor in his kingdom.

¹⁵ I saw everyone who was alive and was walking around under the sun, along with a youth who was to rise up to take his place.

¹⁶ There is no end to all the people who want to obey the new king, but later many of them will no longer praise him. Surely this situation is vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

¹⁵ I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

¹⁶ There 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.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.

¹⁴ For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

¹⁵ I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.

¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

¹³ A poor man and wise is better than an eld or old king and foolish, that cannot before-see into time to coming or after.

¹⁴ For sometime a man goeth out, both from prison and chains, to a realm; and another, born into a realm, is wasted by neediness.

¹⁵ I saw all men living that go under the sun, with the second young waxing man, that shall rise for him.

¹⁶ The number of people, of all that were before him, is great without measure, and they that shall come afterward, shall not be glad in him; but also this is vanity and torment of the spirit.

¹³ A poor man and wise is better than an eld king and fool(ish), that cannot before-see into time to coming. (A poor person who is wise, is better than an old king who is foolish, and who cannot foresee into the time to come, or who will not listen to good advice.)

¹⁴ For sometime a man goeth out, both from prison and chains, to a realm (or and becometh a king); and another, born into a realm, is wasted by neediness.

¹⁵ I saw all men living that go under the sun, with the second young waxing man, that shall rise (up) for him. (I saw all the living who go under the sun, and yet for each, someone young shall rise up, and shall take their place.)

¹⁶ The number of people, of all that were before him, is great without measure, and they that shall come afterward, shall not be glad in him; but also this is vanity and torment of the spirit. (The number of all the people, who be under him, is great without measure, and yet they who shall come after him, shall not be grateful to him; but this is also empty and futile, like chasing the wind.)

¹³ Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more.

¹⁴ For from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he hath been poor.

¹⁵ I have seen all the living, who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who doth stand in his place;

¹⁶ there is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter rejoice not in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.