13 A (A)poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive [a]instruction— 14 for he has come (B)out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. 15 I have seen all those living under the sun move to the side of the second youth who [b]replaces him. 16 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them. Even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him; for this too is (C)futility and striving after wind.

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Notas al pie

  1. Ecclesiastes 4:13 Or warning
  2. Ecclesiastes 4:15 Lit stands in his place

The Futility of Political Power

13 It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. 14 Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. 15 But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth[a] who replaces him. 16 Endless crowds stand around him,[b] but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.

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Notas al pie

  1. 4:15 Hebrew the second youth.
  2. 4:16 Hebrew There is no end to all the people, to all those who are before them.