Ecclesiastes 4:15
13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.
14 For the youth has come from the prison to the kingship, though he was born poor in his own kingdom.
I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one, the youth who succeeded the king.
16 There is no limit to all the people who were before them. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
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
- I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one, the youth who succeeded the king.
- KJV
- I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
- WEB
- I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.
- ASV
- I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.
- DARBY
- I saw all the living that walk under the sun, with the child, the second, that should stand up in his stead.
- BLB
- I saw all the living who are walking under the sun, with the second youth who stands in his place.
- ÅB
- Jeg så alle de levende som ferdes under solen, følge med den unge mann, han den nye, som skulle trede i den gamles[^2] sted.
- OTB
- Jeg så alle som lever og vandrer under solen følge ungdommen, etterfølgeren til tronen.
- B1930
- Jeg så alle de levende som ferdes under solen, følge med den unge mann, han den nye, som skulde trede i den gamles sted. / < kongens.>
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Samuel 15:6
Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Read in context