Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Wisdom Superior to Folly
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 people in it. A great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against 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 poor man.(A) 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than might; yet the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heeded.”(B)
17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouting of a ruler among fools.(C)
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one bungler destroys much good.(D)
Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
International Standard Version
Wisdom Surpasses Foolishness
13 I also observed this example of[a] wisdom on earth, and it seemed important to me: 14 There was a little city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built massive siege ramps against it. 15 Now there was found within it a poor, but wise man. He delivered the city by his wisdom, but not one person remembered that poor man.
16 So I concluded,[b] “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the wisdom of the poor is rejected—his words are never heard.”
17 The softly spoken words of the wise are to be heard
rather than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
and a single sinner can destroy a lot of good.
Notas al pie
- Ecclesiastes 9:13 The Heb. lacks example of
- Ecclesiastes 9:16 Lit. said
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