Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹³ Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who will no longer take advice.^{(A) 14} One can indeed come out of prison to reign, even though born poor in the kingdom.^{(B) 15} I saw all the living who, moving about under the sun, follow that^[a] youth who replaced the king;^{[b] 16} there was no end to all those people whom he led.^[c] Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.^(C)