Ecclesiastes 9:14

Compare 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.

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war;
But ^aone sinner destroys much good.”

Verse Comparison: Ecclesiastes 9:14

<< Ecclesiastes 9:13

Ecclesiastes 9:15 >>

American Standard Version
There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.

Amplified® Bible
There was a little city with few men in it. And a great king came against it and besieged it and built great bulwarks against it.

Contemporary English Version
It happened when a powerful ruler surrounded and attacked a small city where only a few people lived. The enemy army was getting ready to break through the city walls.

Darby English Version
There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and encompassed it, and built great bulwarks against it:

Good News Bible
There was a little town without many people in it. A powerful king attacked it. He surrounded it and prepared to break through the walls.

King James Version
There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:

New American Standard Bible
There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it.

New International Version
There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it.

New King James Version
There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
There existed a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it.

Revised Standard Version
There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it.

Young's Literal Translation
A little city, and few men in it, and a great king hath come unto it, and hath surrounded it, and hath built against it great bulwarks;

New English Translation
There was once¹ a small city with a few men in it, and a mighty king attacked it, besieging² it and building strong³ siege works against it.

<< Ecclesiastes 9:13

Ecclesiastes 9:15 >>