Ecclesiastes 4:14-15

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Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 The Message (MSG)

A poor child with some wisdom is better off than an old but foolish king who doesn’t know which end is up. I saw a youth just like this start with nothing and go from rags to riches, and I saw everyone rally to the rule of this young successor to the king. Even so, the excitement died quickly, the throngs of people soon lost interest. Can’t you see it’s only smoke? And spitting into the wind?

Ecclesiastes 4:14-15 King James Version (KJV)

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.

Ecclesiastes 4:14-15 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)

For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him.

Ecclesiastes 4:14-15 New Century Version (NCV)

A boy became king. He had been born poor in the kingdom and had even gone to prison before becoming king. I watched all the people who live on earth follow him and make him their king.

Ecclesiastes 4:14-15 American Standard Version (ASV)

For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor. I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

Ecclesiastes 4:14-15 New International Version (NIV)

The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor.

Ecclesiastes 4:14-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom. I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place.

Ecclesiastes 4:14-15 Amplified Bible (AMP)

for the poor youth has [used his wisdom and] come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. I have seen all the living under the sun join with the second youth (the king’s acknowledged successor) who replaces him.

Ecclesiastes 4:14-15 New Living Translation (NLT)

Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him.

Ecclesiastes 4:14-15 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)

For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king’s place.