Ecclesiastes 9:13

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11 I returned ^aand saw under the sun that—
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and ^bchance happen to them all.

12 For ^aman also does not know his time:
Like fish taken in a cruel net,
Like birds caught in a snare,
So the sons of men are ^bsnared in an evil time,
When it falls suddenly upon them.

Wisdom Superior to Folly

13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:

14 ^aThere was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great¹ 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 ^astrength.
Nevertheless ^bthe 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.

Verse Comparison: Ecclesiastes 9:13

<< Ecclesiastes 9:12

Ecclesiastes 9:14 >>

American Standard Version
I have also seen wisdom under the sun on this wise, and it seemed great unto me:

Amplified® Bible
This [illustration of] wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great to me:

Contemporary English Version
Once I saw what people really think of wisdom.

Darby English Version
This also have I seen as wisdom under the sun, and it was great unto me.

Good News Bible
There is something else I saw, a good example of how wisdom is regarded in this world.

King James Version
This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:

New American Standard Bible
Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun, and it impressed me.

New International Version
I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me:

New King James Version
This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun, and it impressed me.

Revised Standard Version
I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me.

Young's Literal Translation
This also I have seen: wisdom under the sun, and it is great to me.

<< Ecclesiastes 9:12

Ecclesiastes 9:14 >>

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Wisdom Superior to Folly

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