12 Where one alone may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken.
13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows caution;
14 for from a prison house he came forth to reign; despite his kingship he was born poor.
15 I saw all the living, those who move about under the sun, with the second youth who will succeed him.
16 There is no end to all this people, to all who were before them; yet the later generations will not have joy in him. This also is vanity and a chase after wind.
17 Guard your step when you go to the house of God. Draw near for obedience, rather than for the fools’ offering of sacrifice; for they know not how to keep from doing evil.