Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

International Standard Version

There’s No Fool Like an Old Fool

¹³A poor but wise youth is better
    than an old but foolish king
        who will no longer accept correction.
¹⁴The former can come out of prison to reign,
    while the latter, even if born to^[a] kingship, may become poor.

¹⁵I observed everyone who lives and walks on earth, along with the youth^[b] who will take the king’s^[c] place. ¹⁶There was no end to all of his subjects^[d] or to all of the people who had come before them. But those who come along afterward will not be happy with him. This is also pointless and a chasing after wind.

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Footnotes

Ecclesiastes 4:14 Lit. to his
Ecclesiastes 4:15 Lit. second child
Ecclesiastes 4:15 Lit. take his
Ecclesiastes 4:16 Lit. of the people

International Standard Version (ISV)

Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 International Standard Version

There’s No Fool Like an Old Fool

Footnotes

Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

International Standard Version