Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
New King James Version
Wisdom Superior to Folly
13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me: 14 (A)There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great [a]snares around it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.
16 Then I said:
“Wisdom is better than (B)strength.
Nevertheless (C)the poor man’s wisdom is despised,
And his words are not heard.
17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard
Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war;
But (D)one sinner destroys much good.”
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 9:14 LXX, Syr., Vg. bulwarks
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Bible Gateway Recommends
![NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/products/9780310432760.jpg?v=1644570526)
![NKJV, The Bible Study Bible, Comfort Print: A Study Guide for Every Chapter of the Bible](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/files/9780785253235.jpg?v=1700561126)
![NKJV Study Bible, Full-Color, Comfort Print: The Complete Resource for Studying God’s Word](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/products/9780785220626.jpg?v=1644700867)
![NKJV, Gift and Award Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/files/9780718075163_87600f2b-ccc2-4bef-b483-0ff0e2297533.jpg?v=1699552258)
![NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/products/9780785239543.jpg?v=1659450163)
![NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/1309/6047/products/9780529100146.jpg?v=1645115140)