Ecclesiastes 4:15
13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
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
- 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
And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Read in context