Ecclesiastes 7:12
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this.
11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
13 Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent?
14 In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
- KJV
- For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
- WEB
- For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
- ASV
- For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
- DARBY
- For wisdom is a defence [as] money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, [that] wisdom maketh them that possess it to live.
- BLB
- For in the shadow of wisdom [is as] in the shadow of silver, and the advantage of knowledge [is] that wisdom keeps alive her owners.
- ÅB
- for å være i visdommens skygge er som å være i skyggen av rikdom, men kunnskapens fortrinn er at visdommen holder sin eier i live.
- OTB
- Visdom er en beskyttelse, som penger er en beskyttelse, men fordelen med kunnskap er at visdom bevarer livet til den som har den.
- B1930
- for å være i visdommens skygge er som å være i skyggen av rikdom, men kunnskapens fortrin er at visdommen holder sin eier i live.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 8:35
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
Read in contextProverbs 2:7
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity,
Read in contextProverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
Read in contextProverbs 11:4
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
Read in contextJudges 9:15
But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
Read in contextJohn 12:50
And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”
Read in contextProverbs 18:10–11
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Read in contextJohn 17:3
Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
Read in context