Ecclesiastes 4:13
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.”
A short, plain-language explanation of Ecclesiastes 4:13 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
“Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)“Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.”
King James Version · Public Domain“Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.”
American Standard Version · Public Domain“Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more.”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainOther passages that echo Ecclesiastes 4:13 — 9 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 37:2This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
- 1 Kings 22:8The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man who can ask the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
- 2 Chronicles 24:20Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’”
- 2 Chronicles 25:16While he was still speaking, the king asked, “Have we made you the counselor to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.”
- Proverbs 19:1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
- Proverbs 28:6Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
- Proverbs 28:15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
- Ecclesiastes 9:15Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).