a time to bear and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to root up [what is] planted;

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

For he came out of the prison house to reign, {since he was born poor in his kingdom}.

Do not be surprised if you see the poor being oppressed with violence or [do not see] justice and righteousness in the province. For one official is watched by a higher official, and [there are] even higher officials over them!

The produce of the land is exploited by everyone; {even the king profits from the field [of the poor]}!

So do the wise [really] have an advantage over fools? {Can the poor [really] gain anything by knowing how to act in front of others}?

Now, a poor wise man was found in it, and he delivered the city by his wisdom.

So I concluded that wisdom [is] better than might, yet the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard.