Parallel Verses

Youngs Literal Translation

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more.

New American Standard Bible

A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.

King James Version

Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

Holman Bible

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer pays attention to warnings.

International Standard Version

A poor but wise youth is better than an old but foolish king who will no longer accept correction.

American Standard Version

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

Amplified

A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction and counsel (friendly reproof, warning)—

Bible in Basic English

A young man who is poor and wise is better than a king who is old and foolish and will not be guided by the wisdom of others.

Darby Translation

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth no more how to be admonished.

Julia Smith Translation

Good a poor and wise child above an old and foolish king, who knew not more to receive instruction.

King James 2000

Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no longer be admonished.

Lexham Expanded Bible

A poor but wise youth [is] better than an old but foolish king who no longer knows {how to receive advice}.

Modern King James verseion

A poor and a wise child is better than an old and foolish king, who will not be warned any more.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

A poor child being wise, is better than an old king that doteth, and cannot beware in time to come.

NET Bible

A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.

New Heart English Bible

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more.

The Emphasized Bible

Better a boy poor and wise, - than a king, old and stupid, who knoweth not how to take warning any longer.

Webster

Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

World English Bible

Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
is a poor
מסכּן 
Micken 
Usage: 4

and a wise
חכם 
Chakam 
Usage: 137

ילד 
Yeled 
Usage: 89

than an old
זקן 
Zaqen 
Usage: 178

and foolish
כּסיל 
K@ciyl 
Usage: 70

מלך 
melek 
Usage: 2521

References

Context Readings

One Must Be Willing To Listen To Counsel

12 And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken. 13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who hath not known to be warned any more. 14 For from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he hath been poor.


Cross References

Ecclesiastes 9:15-16

and there hath been found in it a poor wise man, and he hath delivered the city by his wisdom, and men have not remembered that poor man!

Genesis 37:2

These are births of Jacob: Joseph, a son of seventeen years, hath been enjoying himself with his brethren among the flock, (and he is a youth,) with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and Joseph bringeth in an account of their evil unto their father.

1 Kings 22:8

And the king of Israel saith unto Jehoshaphat, 'Yet -- one man to seek Jehovah by him, and I have hated him, for he doth not prophesy concerning me good, but evil -- Micaiah son of Imlah;' and Jehoshaphat saith, 'Let not the king say so.'

2 Chronicles 16:9-10

for Jehovah -- His eyes go to and fro in all the earth, to show Himself strong for a people whose heart is perfect towards Him; thou hast been foolish concerning this, because -- henceforth there are with thee wars.'

2 Chronicles 24:20-22

and the Spirit of God hath clothed Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, and he standeth over-against the people, and saith to them, 'Thus said God, Why are ye transgressing the commands of Jehovah, and prosper not? because ye have forsaken Jehovah -- He doth forsake you.'

2 Chronicles 25:16

And it cometh to pass, in his speaking unto him, that he saith to him, 'For a counsellor to the king have we appointed thee? cease for thee; why do they smite thee?' And the prophet ceaseth, and saith, 'I have known that God hath counselled to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened to my counsel.'

Proverbs 19:1

Better is the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse in his lips, who is a fool.

Proverbs 28:6

Better is the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.

Proverbs 28:15-16

A growling lion, and a ranging bear, Is the wicked ruler over a poor people.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain