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

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16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.(A)

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19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

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19 Wisdom(A) makes one wise person more powerful(B)
    than ten rulers in a city.

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A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

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Saying 22

The wise prevail through great power,
    and those who have knowledge muster their strength.

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22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(A)
    and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

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And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

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When the Sabbath came,(A) he began to teach in the synagogue,(B) and many who heard him were amazed.(C)

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon?(D) Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

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Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges(A) with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:(B) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world(C) to be rich in faith(D) and to inherit the kingdom(E) he promised those who love him?(F) But you have dishonored the poor.(G) Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?(H)

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15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

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15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,(A)
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.(B)

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26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

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26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.(A) Not many of you were wise(B) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose(C) the foolish(D) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not(E)—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.(F)

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47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

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47 “You mean he has deceived you also?”(A) the Pharisees retorted. 48 “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?(B) 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”

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18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

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18 Wisdom(A) is better than weapons of war,
    but one sinner destroys much good.

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24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.

29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.

31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

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24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,”(A) they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”(B)

25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

27 He answered, “I have told you already(C) and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses!(D) 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”(E)

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.(F) 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God,(G) he could do nothing.”

34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth;(H) how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.(I)

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