Ecclesiastes 9:12-18

English Standard Version

¹² For man ^(A)does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and ^(B)like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are ^(C)snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.

¹³ I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. ¹⁴ 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. ¹⁵ But there was found in it ^(D)a poor, wise man, and he by his ^(E)wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ But I say that ^(F)wisdom is better than might, though ^(G)the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

¹⁷ The words of the wise heard in ^(H)quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. ^18 (I)Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but ^(J)one sinner destroys much good.