Ecclesiastes 4:14
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
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.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For the youth has come from the prison to the kingship, though he was born poor in his own kingdom.
- KJV
- For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
- WEB
- For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
- ASV
- For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
- DARBY
- For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.
- BLB
- For from the house of bondage he came to be king, for even in his kingdom he was born poor.
- ÅB
- for fra fengslet kommer den ene ut og blir konge[^1]; den andre blir fattig, enda han er født i sitt kongedømme.
- OTB
- For han kan ha kommet fra fengsel for å bli konge, selv om han ble født fattig i sitt rike.
- B1930
- for fra fengslet kommer den ene ut og blir konge; den andre blir fattig, enda han er født i sitt kongedømme. / < som Josef; 1MO 41, 41 fg.>
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Psalms 113:7–8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
Read in contextGenesis 41:14
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
Read in contextJob 5:11
To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.
Read in contextLamentations 4:20
The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.
Read in contextGenesis 41:33–44
Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Read in contextDaniel 4:31
While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
Read in context2 Kings 25:7
And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.
Read in context2 Kings 24:6
So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
Read in context