Ecclesiastes 4:13 - Revised Standard Version (RSV-CI) Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who will no longer take advice, More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive counsel (friendly reproof and warning)– American Standard Version (1901) Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more. Common English Bible A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king, who no longer listens to advice. Catholic Public Domain Version Better is a boy, poor and wise, than a king, old and foolish, who does not know to look ahead for the sake of posterity. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter. |
This is the history of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought an ill report of them to their father.
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.”
But as he was speaking the king said to him, “Have we made you a royal counselor? Stop! Why should you be put to death?” So the prophet stopped, but said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a man who is perverse in speech, and is a fool.
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways.
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.