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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 4:11–15

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
¶ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
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.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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5 selected · 11 available

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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From verse 11

  1. 1 Kings 1:1–4Rank 1 from verse 11
    Open

    1NOW king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

    2Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

    3So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

    4And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

From verse 12

  1. Daniel 3:16–17Rank 1 from verse 12
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    16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

    17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

  2. Ephesians 4:3Rank 2 from verse 12
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    3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

  3. 2 Samuel 23:9Rank 3 from verse 12
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    9And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:

  4. 2 Samuel 23:18–19Rank 4 from verse 12
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    18And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.

    19Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.

  5. 2 Samuel 23:23Rank 5 from verse 12
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    23He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

  6. 2 Samuel 23:16Rank 6 from verse 12
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    16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.

From verse 13

  1. 2 Chronicles 25:16Rank 1 from verse 13
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    16And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

  2. Proverbs 19:1Rank 2 from verse 13
    Open

    1BETTER is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

  3. 2 Chronicles 16:9–10Rank 3 from verse 13
    Open

    9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

    10Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

  4. Proverbs 28:15–16Rank 4 from verse 13
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    15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

    16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

  5. 1 Kings 22:8Rank 5 from verse 13
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    8And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

  6. Ecclesiastes 9:15–16Rank 6 from verse 13
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    15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

    16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

  7. Genesis 37:2Rank 7 from verse 13
    Open

    2These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

  8. Proverbs 28:6Rank 8 from verse 13
    Open

    6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

  9. 2 Chronicles 24:20–22Rank 9 from verse 13
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    20And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.

    21And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord.

    22Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The Lord look upon it, and require it.

From verse 14

  1. Genesis 41:14Rank 1 from verse 14
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    14¶ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

  2. Psalms 113:7–8Rank 2 from verse 14
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    7He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

    8That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

  3. Job 5:11Rank 3 from verse 14
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    11To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

  4. Lamentations 4:20Rank 4 from verse 14
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    20The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

  5. 2 Kings 24:12Rank 5 from verse 14
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    12And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.

  6. 2 Kings 24:6Rank 6 from verse 14
    Open

    6So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

  7. 2 Kings 25:27–30Rank 7 from verse 14
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    27¶ And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;

    28And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon;

    29And changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life.

    30And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.

  8. 2 Kings 25:7Rank 8 from verse 14
    Open

    7And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.

  9. Daniel 4:31Rank 9 from verse 14
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    31While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

  10. Genesis 41:33–44Rank 10 from verse 14
    Open

    33Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

    34Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.

    35And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

    36And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.

    37¶ And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

    38And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

    39And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

    40Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

    41And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

    42And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

    43And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

    44And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

  11. 1 Kings 14:26–27Rank 11 from verse 14
    Open

    26And he took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king’s house; he even took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

    27And king Rehoboam made in their stead brasen shields, and committed them unto the hands of the chief of the guard, which kept the door of the king’s house.

  12. 2 Kings 23:31–34Rank 12 from verse 14
    Open

    31¶ Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

    32And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done.

    33And Pharaoh-nechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

    34And Pharaoh-nechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

  13. 2 Kings 24:1–2Rank 13 from verse 14
    Open

    1IN his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

    2And the Lord sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

From verse 15

  1. 2 Samuel 15:6Rank 1 from verse 15
    Open

    6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:11

COMBINED MEANING

again

↗

Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lie

↗

Sense 1: To recline, rest, remain, or be situated. Sense 2: In ‘lie with,’ to have sexual intercourse. Sense 3: To speak falsely. Sense 4: A false statement or deception.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heat

↗

Sense 1: Warmth or high temperature. Sense 2: To make or become hot.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

warm

↗

Sense 1: Having heat. Sense 2: Becoming heated. Sense 3: As a verb, to make oneself or another warm.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

alone

↗

1. Without others, company, or help; by oneself. 2. Only or solely. 3. In "let ... alone," to leave undisturbed or refrain from interfering with.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:12

COMBINED MEANING

against

↗

Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

cord

↗

A string or small rope made of twisted strands, including a line used for measuring.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:13

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

child

↗

1. A son or daughter; an offspring or descendant. 2. A young person or infant, considered by age or development. 3. In 'with child,' pregnant or carrying an unborn child. 4. One described as belonging to, derived from, characterized by, or dependent upon another person, group, or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

old

↗

1. Advanced in age or existing for a long time. 2. Of the stated or specified age. 3. Ancient, former, previous, or worn.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

admonished

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of admonish, meaning to put in mind by warning, counsel, instruction, or reproof.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:14

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

reign

↗

Sense 1: To exercise kingly rule, dominion, governing power, or controlling power. Sense 2: Royal rule or dominion, or the period during which a ruler governs.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

whereas

↗

1. Considering that. 2. While or when in fact. 3. In contrast to the fact that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

kingdom

↗

The rule, royal authority, government, realm, territory, subjects, or dominion of a king.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:15

COMBINED MEANING

considered

↗

Looked at, attended to, examined, or thought carefully about; took into account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

living

↗

Sense 1: Alive or having life. Sense 2: As a noun, one's means of support or possessions.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sun

↗

The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

child

↗

1. A son or daughter; an offspring or descendant. 2. A young person or infant, considered by age or development. 3. In 'with child,' pregnant or carrying an unborn child. 4. One described as belonging to, derived from, characterized by, or dependent upon another person, group, or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

stand

↗

Sense 1: To be upright, rise, stop, remain, endure, take or keep a position, be established, withstand, or present oneself before another. Sense 2: A fixed position or state of stopping, as in ‘at a stand’.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

stead

↗

The place, position, office, or role occupied by one person or thing in substitution for another.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 4:9–16

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

4:9¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

4:10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

4:11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

Selected passage

4:12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Selected passage

4:13¶ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

Selected passage

4:14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

Selected passage

4:15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

Selected passage

4:16There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

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